History
When the Z88 came out there was no internet or standard for communicating between different computers.
Making a good computer link for the Z88 need to address the following:-
- Faster Serial Port - OZ v3.0 slow implementation of the Serial Port - this is limited to 1200 baud.
- Protocol - it needs to be able to send binary and ascii files.
- File conversion software - PipeDream file structure is unique.
PC
Wordmongers wrote Tx, - File Transfer System for over 100 different micros which included the Z88. It included PipeDream to WordStar conversion.
Cambridge Computer bought out 2 versions for the PC. PC Link used the Imp-Exp protocol. PC Link II ran as an application supplied on a 32K EPROM card and as a DOS program on the PC. It introduced new commands that enabled all commands to be controlled from the PC. PipeDream to WordStar and PipeDream to Lotus 1-2-3 file conversion was supplied.
How do they all stack up?
| Manufacturer | Program | Faster S-Port | Protocol | File Conversion | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| File Transfer System |  |  | | ||
| PC Link | | | | ||
| PC Link II | | | | ||
 | Ranger Link | | | | ||
Bluetooth
PC Link