Welcome to the RomCombiner BBC BASIC utility
Introduction and History
RomCombiner allows individual Z88 Applications to be combined into one device.
Historically, combinations had been made by Wordmongers, Ranger Computers and Steve Marsh for the Z88 User Group using the larger 128K or 256K EPROM cards. These were hard crafted and beyond the skills of the Z88 user. Gary Lancaster wrote the first version that allowed users to read Applications or combinations from ROM devices, Combine them, check that the target EPROM has been erased properly and then finally blow the combined result into it.
When the flash card and OZ 4.2 were produced, RomCombiner was modified so that applications could be added on these devices as well.
Prerequisites, Planning and Using
As you are reading this on the internet, you already have one item, a computer that you can download the applications from. To demonstrate how to use this program, OZvm the Z88 emulator is being used so that screen shots may be used. Using the emulator has other advantages, these are:-
- Use the larger 1M RAM and 1M Flash cards to store and build applications (even though you may not have one for your Z88)
- Importing and exporting files from the main computer to OZvm directly.
- Saving the state of the emulator at key points which can be returned to if a mistake is made.
Finally you need a link from your computer and the Z88, like Eazylink and a cable, so that your compilation can be used on a real Z88.
The other way of using this software is on your Z88 directly, but in both cases you still need the link.
This description is assuming that a Flash card is used for the compilation. Unless you just want to add an additional application, making a compilation needs a number of points to be considered. This requires planning and then execution. We will be using the Pareto principal (80% planning, 20% doing), so don't expect to be even looking at RomCombiner just yet.
Flash and EPROM cards may be used for Applications and/or the File Area. The main difference between these cards is how they are erased. The EPROM card is put into an eraser, exposing the chip to UV light. This erases everything on that card. The Flash card is erased within the Z88 itself and has the added bonus that it can be erased in 64K chunks. This means that the file area can be erased, whilst retaining the application area. If using a Flash card, to avoid wasted space, ensure the - Application area is in 64K chucks
Each application is allocated a letter called a Key and a name which can be changed i.e. []P for PipeDream. The second time and third time the key letter is used, a Z or ZZ is prefixed before that letter. If that letter is used again, it will be no longer available and will not be shown - i.e. ZP and ZZP. - A Key letter may only be used 3 times
It may be desirable to group applications into functions like, Word Processor, Communications, Files, Test, System Programs Database Utilities by - Changing the order.
Making a list of Applications
The first step is to make a list of the applications required.
They can be
- read from an existing ROM - using RomCombiner
- downloaded from the internet
Using a Spreadsheet
Planning the compilation i.e. with PipeDream will allow
- Grouping the applications together
- Choosing a meaningful Key letter (changing the letter has been used before)
- Changing the application name (to highlight a different Key letter)
- Calculating the size of the compilation (keeping it within 64K chunks)
| OZ 4.x Order | OZ Order | Key | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | I | Index | |
| 11 | D | Diary | |
| 12 | P | PipeDream | |
| 13 | B | BASIC | |
| 14 | R | Calculator | |
| 15 | C | Calendar | |
| 16 | T | Clock | |
| 17 | A | Alarm | |
| 18 | F | Filer | |
| 19 | E | PrinterEd | |
| 20 | S | Panel | |
| 21 | X | ImpExp |
This section is being written. Please check for updates.
This is the document planning area
Considerations - using existing compilations
Make a list of applications required
from which existing compilation
Three columns are used to sort
- Order displayed on the Z88
- Applications order (as loaded on the ROM)
- Order of the additional applications
Getting the applications - ROM or Download
An example
