The Z88 To PC Communication Package Version 1.0 By Anton BIALECKI Copyright Jan 1990 Hello, I am Anton BIALECKI, a Frenchman and Happy User of that wonderful Computer named Z88. I hope you will excuse me for my very bad english. I'd like to ad here special thanks to Caroline for her help in designing that system. Have fun with this piece of software. Here is the documentation of that communication software that is design to work with a Z88 and a IBM PC or Compatible. When I started to program this software my purpose was to design a copy of the Z88 Import/Export module. But as I produced LineCode I just added some usefull features (I Hope so). The Result is a full compatible Import/Export module with some extended commands. The Z88ToPC program is written in Borland Turbo Pascal (with some Assembler routines) it aproximate 1200 Pascal lines. This is a Freeware software so you can copy as you want, give it to your friends and so on. Note that in any case this program should be sold. I plan to create a much more improved version of that program. (Including a full Look Likes Filer Interface (You don't need to use the Import/Export module to exchange files), a conversion system for the most popular wordprocessors and spreadsheets). This program will run on the PCs, Macintoshs and Atari STs computers. If you are interested just fill the questionnaire at the end of this document and return it to me. It will help me to define more precisely your needs. Note that this project is conditionned by the number of answers I will receive. If it seems to be interesting to me, I will create and sell this program at a very low price. 1) Starting with Z88ToPC First you need to find or to make a cable. This is relatively easy, all you have to do is to copy the cable described in the Z88 User Guide (Appendix B). Z88 (9 way D Male) Pc (25 way D Male) (TxD) 2 --------------------------> 3 (RxD) (RxD) 3 <-------------------------- 2 (TxD) (RTS) 4 --------------------------> 5 (CTS) (CTS) 5 <-------------------------- 20 (DTR) (GND) 7 <-------------------------> 7 (GND) (DCD) 8 <-------------------------- 20 (DTR) (+5V) 9 --------------------------> 6,8 (DSR, DCD) Then all you have to do is to plug the cable in the Z88 and in the PC (Com1 port only). After doing that you must configure the Z88 Panel (Square S) to : Transmit baud rate 9600 Receive baud rate 9600 Parity None Xon/Xoff Yes And now you are ready to work with Z88ToPC. 2) Basic use In fact you can use Z88ToPc as if you were on your Z88. The Import/Export command are all supported. To transmit a file from the Z88 to the PC just enter the Import/Export program by pressing (Square X) on your Z88 and then on your PC type Z88 to start the program and then press R (for receiving). The program prompt you now for a filename. If you want to use the default (transmited) filename just type . On your Z88 press S (for sending) and then enter the filename to send. At the end of the transmission, both computers should display 'End of file'. To transmit a file from the PC to the Z88 just type Z88 on your PC (to run the program). Then on the Z88 press (Square X) to enter the Import/Export module and then R (to receive), the Z88 ask you for a filename you can press to use the default (transmited) name. On your PC press S and then give the filename to send. At the end of the transmission, both computers should display 'End of file'. As said previously Z88ToPC operate exactly the same way as Import/Export does. So all you have to do is to imagine that you have two Z88 connected via the Import/Export software. Note that the block display (number of block sent or received) are not supported, you can check that the program works correctly by checking the disklight on your Pc or by looking at the block display on your Z88, so don't panic if nothing happend during the transmission on your PC Screen, it's normal. The Batch command are also supported but there is a much more interesting feature in the Extend command that we will see later. But if you want to use it, you can (B for batch receive on your PC, and E to end transmitting a batch). Note that after performing a Batch receive, the program will stop. 3) Extend commands With the extend commands you can : - Print a document on the printer connected to the // port of your PC. To print a document to the // printer you must have the good printered file installed in your Z88. All you have to do then is to type Z88 on your PC (to launch the program) and then to press P (for printing). Check that your printer is on-line and then on your Z88 just do as if you wanted to print the document on a printer connected to the Z88 serial port. For example press <> PO if you want to print something from Pipedream. All you have to do is to wait until that the document is entirely printed and then press +Z on your PC to stop the Print command. This is the cheapest // interface I ever had found for my Z88. - Pack and Unpack files (much better than batch file) Here is a powerfull facility that Z88ToPc offers. If you want to archive a lot of files it is sometimes boring when you want to recall them, to type every filename. The Pack facility saves all your files as one block until it receives E)nd of batch command. So when you want to recall your files you use the Pack Send command and all your files will be restored automatically without even typing their names. Packing : Type Z88 on your PC to launch the program and then F (for Filepack) then R (to receive). The program will prompt you for a filename (a block filename in fact). On your Z88 you have to operate as if you transmited normal files. So send all the files you want to pack and when finished just press E (For end of batch) on your Z88. The PC will save the block. Unpacking : Type Z88 on your PC to launch the program and then F (for Filepack) then S (to send). On The Z88 Just enter the Import/Export module and press B (for batch receiving). On the PC, the program will prompt you for a filename (a block filename). You must give a filename and the program will restore automatically your files at the right place. - Convert Files (AscII To Pipedream and Z88 AscII To PC AscII) If you want to use AscII document on your Z88 you might have some problems (In Pipedream you must Load it as a plain text file for example and it's even worse for French users who must translate diacritics letters). The conversion feature is just design for that job. Translating PC AscII To Z88 Pipedream : Just type Z88 on your PC to launch the program and then press C A (Pc AscII to Z88) . The Program will then prompt you for an original filename. Give your AscII filename. Then it will ask you for a converted name. If you press the name will be the same with the extension '.Z88'. That's done when the job is finished the program return to the main menu. You can then send the *.Z88 file to your Z88 and Load it as a normal Pipedream File. Translating Z88 AscII to PC AscII : This feature is really usefull for foreign country users (just like me). It will translate Z88 AscII Files (a Pipedream document saved with the plain text option set to yes, for example) into a full compatible PC ASCII File. To use it just enter the Z88ToPC program and press C P . Then it works exactly as the translation PC to Z88 give the name of the original and then the name of the copy (default extension '.TEX'). It will return to the main menu. Note : At any time when you want to return to the main menu just press at any level. Any comments or Bug reports (oh no !) can be sent to: Mr Anton BIALECKI 13 rue Henri Poincare 93800 EPINAY SUR SEINE FRANCE or email to : anton.bialecki@usa.net *** QUESTIONNAIRE *** (Put a cross between brackets) 1) Which computer did you own ? PC or Compatible () Macintosh () Atari St () Amiga () Amstrad PCW () Amstrad 6128 () ZX Spectrum () Other () ______________________ 2) If you use a wordprocessor, wich one ? Microsoft Word () Wordperfect () Wordstar () Mac Write () Borland Sprint () FirstWord () Manuscript () StWriter () Other () _____________ 3) If you use a spreadsheet wich one ? Lotus 123 () Excel () Multiplan () Other () _____________________________ 4) What is your main use of the Z88 Wordporcessing () Spreadsheet () Communication () Programming () Other () ____________________________ 5) If you use a media storage system, wich one ? Eprom () Tape () Floppy Disk () PCLink () MacLink () Other () ________________ 6) Will you be interested by buying a connection system (to your computer) ? YES () NO () 7) If yes would you be agree to buy this software for : 8 to 10 pounds () 11 to 15 pounds () 15 to 20 pounds () 8) If a cable were provided would you be agree to buy this system for : 10 to 15 pounds () 15 to 20 pounds () Too Expensive () I prefer built it by myself () 9) Finally what would you like to find in that type of program that you can't find actually ? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ _________________________ If you want to be advertised when the software will be ready, please give me your adress : ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Thank you for your cooperation, this questionnaire will help me to design the product that you need (I hope So). If you have any comment please let me know. All you have to do now is to return these two pages (of questionnaire) to: Mr Anton BIALECKI 13 rue Henri Poincare 93800 EPINAY SUR SEINE FRANCE or by email to : anton.bialecki@usa.net