The EazyLink popdown is run on the Z88, and is the Server part which listens to commands sent to it from the serial port. The Client part is run on a desktop operating system like Windows, Mac or Unix and functions as the window to the filing systems of both computers.

About EazyLink

Introduction and History

When the Z88 came out, there were loads of different desktop computers that were being used. This meant that to transfer with the Z88 and any other computer would have to be simple and reliable. Cambridge Computers initially came out with PC Link.

This was a DOS based file request program which used the Imp/Export popdown on the Z88 and required the user to type commands on both the Z88 and the desktop computer. This was not very popular as it meant the user needed two pairs of hands. Around the same time Colton Software were working on a PC version of PipeDream. they wanted additional commands sent from the desktop computer to communicate with the Z88, like selecting directories, and so the protocol of PC-LINK II was born. 

EazyLink is based on PC-LINK II, using a "file server" (Z88) and a "client" (desktop computer) that requests file handling. It supports the existing file transfer protocol of PC-LINK II for compatibility. This enables you (if required) to use the original PC-LINK DOS application for transferring of files between DOS and the Z88.

 

 

EazyLink's additional communication protocol offer

• faster transfer rates using 38400 BPS (16K in approx 13s)

• remote date stamp

• file size requests

• CRC-32 checksum validation after binary file upload

• backup only updated files^*

• read/write Z88 clock (to allow Z88's time and date to be set by file client seamlessly)

It automatically

• creates the Z88 path, including directories when receiving a file

• creates MSDOS/Z88 line feed and ASCII character conversions during transfer

Everything this popdown can do is requested and displayed from the Client application, as the "server" just sits at the other end and handles the various requests.

 

Backup only updated files*

This was implemented in Eazylink desktop client v1.6.2 (for Windows 95). This is planned to be implemented in Eazylink2 desktop client at a later date.

Text and Binary Files

PC Link II came with several file conversion programs. Two of these programs, ISO to IBM and IBM to ISO were needed for text files on the foreign Z88s. These users became very irritable having to run a separate program before being able to use them on their Desktop computers. The result is that in EazyLink, the character conversion is performed during the transfer of the file, making this process transparent to the user. Other variables that need to be changed, have been included using this method.

Binary Files

When Program or Binary files are transferred the user must ensure that Toggle Translation Mode and CRLF Mode is OFF, the default mode of this command.

Selecting EazyLink.

EazyLink can be started from the INDEX using the cursor bar or can be selected at any time using 

L.

Checking Version Number

Use the 

 key whilst in the application to display the version number. If the version number is lower than displayed, consider updating to this latest version. The version number is displayed in the bottom left-hand corner together with the protocol level it supports, in this case Version 5.4 Protocol level 9.

 

Eazylink commands are sent from the Client

Apart from starting this application there is no need to give any further commands on the Z88 itself. All commands are received from the Desktop Computer including Quit.

They are shown here for completeness together with a detailed description of the different functions.

Menu

Pressing the 

 key reveals the following commands:-

The Main Menus are selected in the application itself.

Log Files

This is used for development. These features are disable by default.

The log files are created in the default RAM device and are named 

• "rs232snd.log" for bytes sent to the RS-232 port

• "rs232rcv.log" for bytes received from the RS-232 port

Enable  :COM.0 logging

Selection is made by either pressing the 

 key with the cursor over the command in the menu or it can be selected with

D.

Confirmation is given in the EazyLink window

Disable  :COM.0 logging

This disables the logging feature

Selection is made by either pressing the 

 key with the cursor over the command in the menu or it can be selected with

Z.

Once again, confirmation is given in the eazylink window

Main Menu

To select a function on the menu on the left-hand side of the display, use the cursor 

or 

keys followed by the 

 key.