Getting the Z88 to do useful stuff

[Journeyman]

Further to my recent post, I've been struggling a bit with trying to get my Z88 to earn its keep.

It's undoubtedly a wonderful little computer, and I've become very fond of Pipedream. I've successfully plugged the Z88 into my Brother EP-44 thermal typewriter/printer, and it produces lovely printed text. I often use it for writing short letters and stuff, because it's quick and easy. It's led me to really enjoy the experience - it's wonderfully minimalist and easy to type on. I'd really like to use it more extensively for serious writing.

The big problem I've had, though, is how difficult it is to get files on and off the machine. I've managed to successfully link it up to my PC using a USB to RS232 cable, and a little dongle that converts the pinouts to the Z88's non-standard serial port. I can see the machines talk to each other. However, I can't for the life of me work out how to get successful file transfers working. I've tried playing with EazyLink, but it needs a popdown installed on the machine, and I can't do that without an EPROM card, which I don't currently have. If I get one, I'm still not massively confident I'll get it all working.

There's this utility at https://www.rastersoft.com/programas/z88transfer.html but I can't get it to install properly, as I don't know what I'm doing with Python. If anyone is able to help me out with installing it on Windows, it could be the answer, as it appears to allow RTF/Pipedream conversions.

It also seems like doing a lot of this stuff will be much easier if I upgrade the original ROM to a new version of OZ, along with a memory upgrade, but I'm too much of a n00b to attempt this myself, and it isn't clear if anyone is offering this service.

If anyone can help me out with anything here, I'd be really grateful. There's a lot to love about the Z88, as the software and form factor are absolutely fantastic, but the thing is hamstrung by how weirdly non-standard everything is compared to other machines. I've got an Amstrad NC100 as well, and although all the standards it supports are long-obsolete, they were well supported enough for file transfer to be very easy. I've got a BASIC program on the machine that will convert Protext files to RTF, and I can use TeraTerm on my PC to move stuff around. The Z88 just resolutely refuses to play ball on those terms, which is a shame because it's easily a better machine than the NC100 in so many ways.

In case it helps, I have a standard unexpanded Z88 with a 128K RAM card in slot 1, and a 32K RAM card in slot 2. I have OZ version 3.0.

[bobs]

@Journeyman If you don’t get any luck here, there’s an active Z88 forum over at Sinclair ZX World where exactly this kind of stuff has been recently discussed.

Try this link: https://sinclairzxworld.com/viewforum.php?f=24

[Jbizzel]

@Journeyman

Getting Eazylink on an eprom card will make you life easier.

Do you have a 32k eprom?

Imp-ex is possible, but it's more complex and a pain.

The best possible option for modern usability is get OZ4.5+ as the rom.

Either via internal mod, or a 512/512 card from Vic.

I have a stock z88 now so I can test the imp-export arrangement later.

What cards do you have?

[Jbizzel]

Also @patters may have words of wisdom on this topic.

[Jbizzel]

https://cambridgez88.jira.com/wiki/spac ... ylink+Mode

Here is the manual for easylink client.

https://cambridgez88.jira.com/wiki/spac ... lving+Area

Here's trouble shooting guidance

But, most improtantly of all....

https://cambridgez88.jira.com/wiki/spac ... xport+Mode

The guide for using Imp-export with Easylink Client - this is what you are trying to do.

[Jbizzel]

@Journeyman I made you a video showing you how to do it. I hope it helps

[Journeyman]

@Journeyman I made you a video showing you how to do it. I hope it helps

Awesome, that is indeed helpful. Thanks for illustrating the steps. I've tried it and it works.

Doing it the other way is a bit tricky, though. Using EazyLink for it just seems to result in the data getting lost in the ether. I can only get it to work by using Putty, and getting the text out of the log file. I seem to recall there isn't really a solution to this, at least with my ROM version - was it you who held my hand in working this out a while ago? I'm terrible for names...

[Jbizzel]

Yes, I was me. On Instagram. What Rom version do you have? Please remind me. And are you using a Mac?

It should work both ways.

Although you are most likely to send software to the z88 and text to the PC, so in that case, you have a workable solution.

[patters]

The choice of serial dongle is important. I had tried to use a cheap FTDI one which worked fine on PC but on Mac would only transfer to the Z88 and fail to read any transfer from the Z88. In the end I bought the Tripp Lite Keyspan USB Serial port which is quite pricey at around £35 but works perfectly, with reliable hardware flow control in both directions, and support for the latest macOS.

[Jbizzel]

@Journeyman

Surprised to see this works in windows 10, its a viewer for pipedream docs, you can save files as rtf and html. Don't think there is a mac version though.

http://privat.bahnhof.se/wb782177/z88/pipeview.htm

You can configure the Print ED to output a document or basic file to HTML, when you send it to the PC term.

http://privat.bahnhof.se/wb782177/z88/z88html.htm

If fact I just tested it with Putty and it works great. Once you have created the print driver, save it (for future use) and then in Print ED settings do: Update Driver

Open a putty session to the Z88, then print the document you want, and it should write to the PC term window as HTML

[Jbizzel]

@Journeyman Had a quick look at RTF and I think it's a simple case of adapting that driver for the appropriate rtf codes.

Hope that helps

[flatduckrecords]

Just heard about this tonight: Tandy TPDD-2 Backpack Drive Plus (via John Kennedy on Mastodon) and thought it might be relevant to your interests!



I'm don't know much about it, but it looks interesting. Attaches to the serial port (needs an adaptor for Z88) and you 'boot' it from BASIC with:

Code: Select all

RUN "COM:98N1ENN"

(Not clear if it will work with the NC100 because it's serial port is limited to 9600).

[Jbizzel]

@flatduckrecords Nice. I know it works with the z88. It looks really cool. I wish they would do a version that had the z88 connection without an adapter. That would be so sweet and low profile. I've even asked the developer Probably not enough demand.

[Journeyman]

Awesome...so this enables easy file transfer via SD cards? It's a reasonable price and I have a Model 100 too!