EazyLink2 User Guide

Welcome!

Welcome to the EazyLink2 User Guide. This is displayed when you have selected the Help > User Guide menu item from the desktop application. You may also have arrived here through our project wiki navigation system. The words EazyLink and Eazylink2 are used interchangeability throughout this document.

This user guide is written for all the Desktop versions of the EazyLink. Where necessary, specific details of desktop operating system features will be mentioned by displaying the OS icon.

This user guide is being written at the moment, while we work on the Beta releases. We anticipate to have this work completed when EazyLink2 has reached final release of V1.0 .

Feedback is most welcome, to help us improve EazyLink

We are on Open Source project and a small community, so any assistance you are able to give is most welcome. Create an account on this project (click on Log-in link on top right corner), it's free and safe; no email addresses are displayed anonymously. Once you have an account, you can start creating issues for EazyLink (or any other project) - or maybe you want to just follow our work and add comments - that is all up to you! As a registered user you will also be informed on the progress made on issue (use watches) and receive automated emails with popular (the most active) wiki-pages. Check out our project welcome page and browse through the projects we have (take a look at the dropdown menu here in top left corner of this web page).

History & Introduction

In 1987, there were many computers, but no established standard to connect them together, unlike today with the internet. The Z88 connected to other computers, using a few commands for data transfer using its own Imp-Export program. BBC and PC Link by Cambridge and the Amiga, Nimbus and QL (just to mention a few) were supported by third parties.

Transferring files using this is reliable, but it is slow, limited in functions, and needed both keyboards, Z88 and the other computer to be used at the same time. Larger memory devices and the use of directories needed more commands. Cambridge bought out PC Link II and Mac Link. These required an additional program for the Z88 which was supplied on a 32K EPROM pack, but unlike Imp-Export, all commands were sent from the PC or Mac.

Eazylink introduced faster transfer, additional commands, character translation was done on the Z88 during the transfer eliminating the need to conversions as a separate operation, but it was only supported on the PC from Windows 98 to xp. There were other attempts to use it with the Mac, but these were not successful.

The original Eazylink software doesn't run on Windows 7, so it has been rewritten here as Eazylink2 with Imp-Export integration so that initially computers running Windows, Mac and Linux may now be used with the Z88.

This user guide is organised in pages of topic.
Click on one of the links in the navigation bar to the left to read the page in this area.

Starting Eazylink

On the Z88 Select []L to start Eazylink

There are commands listed in the left-hand window. These are not normally used as all commands are sent from the Desktop. The only useful command is "QUIT EAZYLINK" or ESC to exit .

Which version are you running?

If you are running the 'stand-alone' version of the Eazylink application the version number is on the main HELP page.

If you are running Eazylink in OZ the version number isn't on the Eazylink HELP page.

It is shown in grey in the bottom left-hand corner of the display. All versions of the Z88 Eazylink popdown will work with EazyLink2, the functions available will depend on the version used. As part of OZ V4.3, EazyLink V5.1 features were integrated then. Check for OZ and Eazylink latest versions from time to time,

On the Desktop, Start Eazylink

If this is the first time you have run Eazylink, you will be directed to the:-

Setup Wizard

Please follow the instructions given carefully. If you know which Serial Port you are using with the Z88, use the list that displays the available ports to select this. If you are unsure which one it is, there is a 'Detect Z88' facility which can be used.

Select Settings and select the serial port device name the Z88 is connected to. If you are unsure which one this is

If you get a communication error, make a note of the messages on the Z88 screen and try again.

If you get continuous communication errors, go to Solving Communication Errors (see below).

The Display

Drop-down menu(s) are along the top. The two windows below display the files on the Z88 (left-hand) and the Desktop (right-hand). The files displayed initially may not be recognizable. This is because EazyLink2 selects the root directory of your main drive. This can be changed to where you want to store the files from the Z88. initially due to the wrong drive and directory.

NOTE :EPR.x Devices will only be shown if the Z88 popdown used is version 5.1 or above.

if the Eazylink popdown is used and when the Z88 has connected successfully, the above two screen display will be shown.

Until the correct settings are found or used, you may get used to seeing this message.

Reading Z88 Devices Command Failed!

The three responses (apart from 'not again') are:

Choice	What should you do?
Retry	If you are using the Eazylink popdown, try this option a few times first and see if it it eventually gives you a file listing.
Ignore	If Imp-Export popdown is used or the above fails, select this. Select the "Eazylink Hello" command if the Eazylink popdown is used and see if it is being received by the Z88. If it is, then try again, if not...
Abort	Select this to and go to the Serial Port to select the correct serial port, or run the Setup Wizard again.

If the Imp-Export mode is required, go to that option now.

EazyLink

This is the preferred mode of operating as it uses all the options offered from the Desktop.

EazyLink prerequisites

Install the software on the Client
Install EazyLink on the Z88
Connect the Z88 to the Client (with the Serial to USB Converter if required)

The Commands

Top Menu

File	Z88		What do they do?
Exit			Exit the program.
	Eazylink Hello		Issue a Hello command to the Z88. This is used to check whether the connection between the Desktop and Z88 is working correctly. You should see "Hello" appear on the Z88's screen if it is.
	Eazylink Quit		This command disconnects the Z88 from this program. To reconnect, select the Serial Port and choose the connection again.
	Send files to Z88 Imp-Export popdown		Send files to the Z88 using the built-in Imp-Export popdown that is supplied with all Z88s.
	Receive files from Z88 Imp-Export popdown		Receive files from the Z88 using the built-in Imp-Export popdown that is supplied with all Z88s.
	Set Z88 Clock		Use the Time and Date on the Desktop to set the Z88's clock.
	Read Z88 Clock		Read the Z88's Time and Date clock settings on the Desktop.
	Reload Translation Table		The translation table is used to map the foreign characters between the Z88's and the Desktop.
	Get Info		Get information from the Z88 regarding ROM Version number, Devices and Memory.

	Settings
	Serial Port		Set which Serial Port the Z88 is connected to. See Com Port for further details.
	Preferences	General	These 'check box' selections allow user customisation.
	Sync Z88 Clock before file transfers to Z88.		Checks and sets the Z88 clock (Date and Time) to the Desktop's if they are different before sending a file.
	Load Z88 File-Tree on Serial Port Open.		Displays all your Z88 Devices and Files when the Z88 is connected.
	Shutdown Z88 Eazylink popdown on exit.		Sends the command to the Z88's Eazylink popdown to close before exiting itself.
	Set Desktop Startup Directory as Root.		The Desktop Startup Directory initially uses the Root. This directory can be changed (See Desktop Window / StartUp Dir). This option is a quick way to change it back again.
		Translations	The Z88's Eazylink popdown is able to change individual characters whilst transferring files. The following modes enables these translations. Make sure that they are turned off if translations are not required when sending zip or BBC BASIC files.
	Enable Byte Mode Translation		This uses the previously mentioned translation table.
	Enable Z88 to CR/LF line termination		This is used with text files. If the file appears to be one long line of text, this mode may correct this.
		Com Port	This is a repeat of the Serial Port above. Eazylink will not connect to the Z88, unless these settings are correct.
	Open Serial Port on Startup		Enable this only when Eazylink communication to the Z88 works. Selecting this will connect the Z88 when starting future sessions of the program.
	Default Serial Port:		Displays available Serial Ports with the drop down menu. Select the Serial Port that the Z88 is connected to.
	Refresh		Enable this only when Eazylink communication to the Z88 works. Selecting this sends the Refresh command after selecting the serial port.
		Actions	The user can customise the mouse to do different functions. Instructions on how to use and configre are given.
	Setup Wizard		The Setup Wizard is run the first time Eazylink is run to help the user to connect to the Z88. This allows it to be used again.

	Help
	User Guide		This Guide, selected from the program
	About		Information about Eazylink's Desktop Version Number and Date

Z88 Menu

This menu repeats some of the commands above. They are here to enable quicker selection with the mouse.

Command	Device		What do they do?
EazyLink Hello			Sends the 'Hello" command to the Z88. This can be used to check that connection is made. The user will see 'Hello' on the Z88's screen if it is successful.
Z88 Refresh	:RAM	:EPR	The initial command sent to the Z88 to establish communication sent by the user. The list of Z88 files is then displayed.
Transfer Z88 <- Desk	:RAM	:EPR	Selecting this, marked files in the Desktop window will be transferred to the Z88.
Transfer Desk -> Z88	:RAM	:EPR	Selecting this, marked files in the Z88 window will be transferred to the Desktop.
Display File Size	:RAM	:EPR	Selecting this gets the file sizes from the Z88. The file sizes are not displayed by default due to the time it takes to transmit this information.
Display File Date	:RAM		Selecting this gets the file dates from the Z88. The file dates are not displayed by default due to the time it takes to transmit this information.

Hidden commands

These following commands are in the Z88 and Desktop windows and are selected by using the right-hand mouse button whilst the cursor is in the window.

Z88 Window

Command	Device		What do they do?
Make Dir	:RAM		Creates a Directory.
Rename	:RAM		Renames a File.
Delete	:RAM	:EPR	Delete File.

Desktop Window

Command			What do they do?
Make Dir			Creates a Directory.
Select Drive			Selects an available Drive. (Windows only)
StartUp Dir			Selects the Directory to use when the program is started.
File Size			Moving the mouse over a filename will display the file size in bytes. This facility can be used to check whether the complete file has been transferred.
Rename			Renames a File.
Delete			Delete File.

Transfering Files

There are two methods of transferring files.

Using the menus above
Drag and Drop

While files are being transferred, a progress window is displayed. Please wait for this operation has finished before selecting the main window.

Using the Menus

In the Z88 or Desktop window, select the files to be transferred.
In the opposite window, select the Device and/or Directory that the files to be transferred to
In the Z88 menu line, select the Transfer Z88 <- Desk or Transfer Desk -> Z88

Drag and Drop

Directories, individual or multiple files may be selected, dragged and dropped between the Z88 and Desktop or visa-versa windows. They may also be dragged from other program's windows e.g. Windows Explorer into the Z88's window, but not the other way around. When illegal transfers are attempted, a 'no waiting' symbol is displayed in the target's window.

Source Filename Error

If the Desktop's filename doesn't comply with the Z88's filename of 12.3 format or uses illegal characters, the user is invited to change the name before the transfer can take place. See 'Specifying Z88 file names in full' for more details.

(Temporary Suggested Menus) - Work in Progress

The idea of this section is to see what the menus would look like if all the commands were there and could be accessed using the keyboard. Commands that are selected using the 2nd button on the mouse remain where they are.

File	Z88	Desktop	Help	What do they do if not obvious?	Reason Why here?
Serial Port				Set which Serial Port the Z88 is connected to.	This is the first thing the User need to do.
Eazylink Hello				Issue a Hello command to the Z88	Does it work?
Z88 Refresh					Oh it does, better refresh it
(Settings)
StartUp Dir					Although this is a Desktop property, I have put it in settings as it would only be changed occasionally.
Translations
Actions
	Select DeVice
	Select File to Transfer
	Display File Size
	Display File Date
	Create Directory
	REname File
	ERase File
		Select Drive
		Select File to Transfer
		Create Directory
		REname File
		ERase File


				Not sure what the point of this command is because once it is used, all options on the Z88 section are removed. There is no other way of turning it back on again without Exit the program and restarting it again.
	Send files to Z88 Imp-Export popdown
	Receive files from Z88 Imp-Export popdown
Set Z88 Clock					Although these are Z88 functions they have nothing to do with files and are not used often
Read Z88 Clock
Reload Translation Table
Get Info				Get information from the Z88 regarding ROM Version number, Devices and Memory.
			User Guide
			About
General (Properties)
Eazylink Quit				Not sure what the point of this command is because once it is used, all options on the Z88 section are removed. There is no other way of turning it back on again without Exit the program and restarting it again.	Command not required?
Exit				Exit the program.
12 (13)	9	5	2	Number of Commands in Column

Imp-Export

This mode's primary role is to allow users to download files so that a copy of the Eazylink popdown can be written to a Flash card or EPROM on the Z88.

You should skip this section if you already have a copy of OZ4.x or Z88 Eazylink. Please use Eazylink.

Connect Z88 to the Desktop.
On the Desktop, start Eazylink2

Restrictions:-

It only allows saving and receiving files from the Z88's root Directory.
Drag and Drop is not supported.

Start Eazylink2.

These screens are not used with Imp-Export and the left hand screen will be blank. If and when you receive the Reading Z88 Devices Command Failed! Choose 'Ignore.'

On the top menu bar, Select Settings

Select Serial Port.
Uncheck the 'Open Serial Port on Startup' box
Change the 'Default Serial Port:' to the device name the Z88 is connected to.
Uncheck the 'Refresh' box and click OK.
Select General, uncheck all EazyLink functions and click OK.
Select Translations, uncheck all EazyLink functions and click OK.

Send to the Z88

On the top menu bar, Select Z88

Select - Send files to Z88 Imp/Export popdown

If 'Show Details...' is selected, you will be presented with a help screen listing instructions (without the screen shots) on how to use the Z88. 1.

Start Z88

Select Panel []S

Change Default device to :RAM.1 - You will need extra RAM in your Z88 for the file and it needs to be in slot 1.

Remember to PRESS ENTER TO UPDATE otherwise these settings will not change.

Note that the Transmit and Receive rates Parity and Xon/Xoff settings are the correct value as given. Scroll down to the next instruction. 2.

Select Imp-Export []X

Scroll down to the next instruction. 3.

Now you can click 'Yes' to 'Is Z88 ready?'

The Desktop will now display a window for you to select which file(s) to send.

Receive from Z88

On the top menu bar, Select Z88

Select - Receive files from Z88 Imp/Export popdown

You will now be presented with Select Receive Directory. Create and/or Choose which Directory to use.

NOTE: You need to select OK here on the Desktop before starting the Z88. If you get the Imp-Export Receive Command Failed! message, Choose Retry.

If 'Show Details...' is selected, you will be presented with a help screen listing instructions (without the screen shots) on how to use the Z88. 1.