Mac Link

Apple Mac being used with Z88 to transfer files easily

Mac Link allows you to transfer and convert files in both directions from a Z88 to a Macintosh Plus, Macintosh SE or Macintosh II (as well as the later models). Files are saved as ASCII, or translated into MacWrite files which are accepted by Microsoft Word, Word Perfect, WriteNow, Fullwrite Professional and Lotus 1-2-3, and can be imported into Pagemaker, Quark Xpress and Ready Set Go!

Supplied with the Mac Link ROM (32K EPROM pack),a 3½" disk, a 9-to-8 pin min DIN cable and user manual.

Mac Link program download

Z88-to-Mac program

Some Mac users have found they are unable to read files on the disk with the latest machines. This download is version 1.1 of the Z88-to-Mac program for transferring files from your Z88 to your Mac. To use it you will need the Z88 to Mac ROM installed in your Z88, as well as a Mac link cable.

It is a Classic Mac program, so will run on both Mac OS 7.x to 9.x as well as running in OS X under the Classic environment.

The file is encoded as a self-extracting Stuffit archive
( Z88-to-Mac.smi.sea) of a self-mounting image (.smi). If this doesn't work, try download the enclosed zip file with Z88-to-Mac.sit enclosed.

After downloading it, simply double-click the file and it will automatically decompress itself and mount on the desktop. Once it has mounted, drag the program to your hard drive to install it.

For help on how to use the program, please consult the manual that came with the ROM.

USB - Mac Serial Adapter

Keyspan USB Serial Adapter for MAC

Carry on using your MAC Link with the latest MAC with this serial adapter. Comes complete with USB Device cable, Mac Driver CD, and user guide. When you order this from us, you get the MAC Link FREE!

The installer will not run unless you have the MAC OS USB version 1.1 (or later)

Download the latest drivers now. 

Configuring a Keyspan serial adapter under Mac OS 9

Install the drivers

The first step is to install the Keyspan serial adapter drivers. These should be on the CD that came with the adapter. You can also find them on the Keyspan web site (the web site's version of the file may be more recent than the one included on your CD).

http://www.keyspan.com/downloads/mac/

To install the drivers from the CD, simply double-click the Install Keyspan USA28X file and follow the instructions.

If you have downloaded the updated drivers from the Internet, you must first decompress the Stuffit archive that they came in. If you don't have Stuffit Expander (it should have been installed when your Mac OS was installed), you can get it from the Aladdin Systems site.

http://www.stuffit.com/cgi-bin/stuffit/stuffit_loginpage.cgi?standardmacexp

Once you have decompressed the archive, you can double-click the file and follow the instructions.

Configure the adapter

To configure the adapter, you need to open the Keyspan Serial Assistant, open the Keyspan USA-28X Manager, and then configure the correct port. To do this:

1. Open the Control Panels folder by selecting Control Panels from the Apple menu.
2. Open Keyspan Serial Assistant by double-clicking the Keyspan Serial Assistant Control Panel.
3. The Keyspan Serial Assistant opens and shows you its current status. If you do not see Driver and USA-28X Device found OK, you should consult your Keyspan adapter manual under Troubleshooting.

   

4. To configure your adapter's ports for connecting to your Z88, open the Keyspan USA-28X Manager by clicking the Advanced Settings button.

   

5. Select #2 in the Port drop-down list, as this is the port that emulates the modem port on the adapter. Z88-to-Mac was programmed to connect to the modem port on older Macs. As the more recent Macs lack a serial port, the adapter must fool the program into seeing its port as the modem port.
6. Select the Emulate Modem Port option so that the adapter tells Z88-to-Mac that the modem port is available.
7. Reset the adapter and close the serial port by clicking the Reset & Close button. This configures the adapter with your new settings.
8. Close both the Keyspan USA-28x Manager and the Keyspan Serial Assistant.
9. You need to unplug the Keyspan adapter and then plug it back in again, as it reconfigures its ports when it is plugged in.

Plug the Z88 in

The Keyspan driver is set up to send information to port 2 on the adapter, so plug the Z88 serial cable into the port marked 2 on your adapter. You are now ready to start Z88-to-Mac and transfer your files.

Vision/L

Vision/L is a VT 100 terminal emulator and provides an RS-232-C interface with communication speeds up to 38,400 baud.

Display

Data is displayed on the Z88 screen (80 character 8 line) which acts as a 'window' into an internal 24-line VT100 screen. The user can move the 'window' using the cursor keys, and also choose whether the window automatically follows incoming data or remains fixed at a constant point in the internal screen.

The full 24 line screen is constantly visible as a 'pixel map,' a miniature representation of the full 24-line screen complete with a cursor showing the current window position.

Keyboard

The full size VT100 terminal has more keys than are available on the Z88. Vision/L emulates these extra keys by using the Z88 <> and [] keys.

Function keys are obtained by using the [] key. This displays the Z88 keyboard layout with the function name for each key. Pressing any key then emulates the selected function.

The VT100 keypad keys are also available to the user at any time by pressing the <> key in conjunction with the relevant keypad key.

Emulation Features

The DEC VT100 terminal represents a de-facto standard for screen formatting and keyboard interpretation and is available as an interface option on a vast number of mainframe, mini and micro-computer hosts. The standard is also used widely in specialised electronic equipment where external interrogation is required.

The VT100 interface consists of commands, or 'escape code sequences,' that are inserted into the normal data stream in order to instruct the terminal on how and where to display data. these sequences also control other functions in the terminal, like for instance the character codes to be returned when certain keyboard keys are pressed.

Wherever practical, Vision/L behaves in response to these commands exactly as a VT100 terminal would. In cases where a particular command is not supported, Vision/L recognises, but does not respond to, the command. Commands are not supported because they are impractical in the Z88 hardware, like smooth scroll, for instance.

RAM required

Vision/L will only run in an EXPANDED Z88, so you need at least a 128K RAM pack installed.

Z88 - Mobile Phone

[GS18 phone]

In 1997 Paul Gibbs approached us. He wanted to use his Z88 with a mobile phone to send e-mails. With an Ericsson GS18 phone which has a built-in 9600 bps modem, installing Z-Term on the Z88 and building the following adapter cable he was able to do this with his ISP.

The Z88 Ericsson GS18 cable

To connect the Z88 to the Ericsson GS18 we use

• the shipped serial cable, ('GS18' specific connector to a standard DB-9 serial female connector for a PC on the other end).
• and a DB-9 serial male adapter cable to the Z88.

Disclaimer: We can't be help responsible if anything go wrong (if you damage your Z88, GS18 or cables) after you decide to apply the following instructions. OTOH, it worked for Paul Gibbs, so it's up to you...

Parts needed:

• 1 moulded lead with 9 pin male ‘D’ type connector on one end (for the Z88)
• 1 9 pin male ‘D’ type connector and hood

of course you'll also need a soldering iron, screwdriver, cutter, etc...

The key point is which wire goes on which pin of the connector, so here's a diagram to explain:

Z88 connector 9 pin Male (moulded lead)	is connected to	'GS18' connector 9 pin Male (connector & hood)
3 (RxD)	<->	2 (RxD)
2 (TxD)	<->	3 (TxD)
4 (RTS)	<->	7 (RTS)
5 (CTS)	<-
8 (DCD)	<-
9 (DTR)	<-	4 (DTR)
7 (SG)	<->	5 (SG)

A few words of explanations: Join the wires that come from pins 5, 8 and 9 on the Z88 and connect them to pin 4 to the GS18.

Z-Term

Z-Term supports DUMB, Hayes or MIRACLE modems.

Forget using the Z88's limited terminal application. Z-Term can be used with auto-dial modems and to transfer files to computers.

Speeds of 75, 300, 600, 1200, 1200/75 (V23), 2400, 9600 and 19200 can be selected.

Teletype or Viewdata (for PRESTEL) modes are supported together with the Baud rate, delay times, parity settings (Even Odd None Mark Space) and function key assignments for each telephone number stored.

A 'tape-recording' facility can be used to record what is displayed on the screen when 'on-line' for later scrutiny or printing. Files can also be prepared off-line and sent when required.

The program can store up to five telephone numbers and Log-On strings, allowing easy access to bulletin boards, CompuServe and other off-line services. Xmodem file transfer protocol is also provided so that files can be transferred (with a suitable cable) to other computers that have a terminal program and Xmodem already installed.

Other commands and facilities include

• Break (break of transmission for 100 milliseconds)
• Off - disconnects
• Save frame
• Sending Control Characters

Z-Tape

Z-Tape saves and loads files from the Z88 using a cassette tape recorder.

Instead of using an EPROM use a cassette tape instead.

• Extend Z88 storage inexpensively.
• PC Independent.
• Flexible.
• Simplify archiving.

Z-Tape is modelled on the Z88 Filer pop down. Saving to tape is as easy as saving to EPROM.

Restoring from tape is easier than from EPROM using the Filer. All files may be restored, or a single file may be specified.

A Verify routine is included to check file integrity once it is saved.

For best results the recorder should be simple, without any tone controls and run on at least four 1.5v batteries. The connecting lead from the Z88 to the cassette recorder (which has two 3.5mm plugs on it - for the microphone and earphone sockets) is extra.

Z88 Computer Links & OZ 4.7 upgrade *

Description	Price	VAT	Total
PC AT 9/25 way Serial Cable	£7.50	£1.50	£9.00
PC AT 9/9 way Serial Cable	£20.83	£4.17	£25.00
Z88 Serial Link	£16.67	£3.33	£20.00
PC-Link 2 (Cambridge)	£29.17	£5.83	£35.00
* EazyLink or OZ 4.7 upgrade	£25.00	£5.00	£30.00
PC Link 2 to EazyLink upgrade (ROM only for MAC users)	£8.33	£1.67	£10.00
MAC Link or PC-Link 2 ROM only (Cambridge)	£20.00	£4.00	£24.00

	© [Rakewell Limited 1998 - Sep 2025] Rakewell 2025 - ?

	Click here to search on this site

	Web Highlights
	BBC BASIC for Windows
	Flight Page
	Z88 Section
	Adverts Section
	Jamie's 2020 Review

	Z88 Com Links section Eazylink2 Z88 9/9 way Serial Cable Z88 Serial Link Spare Spare

	Z88 Internet Links Z88 Wiki Z88 Forever Z88 RAM Applications Z88 Development Group OpenSCAD Z88 3D Printer Card Details Project: Z88 Development: Summary Z88 Developers' Notes V4.3 Retroisle Keith Korner Colin Parsons (RIP) Z88 Page (Archived) Computer Classic Games Server including Z88 files (Archived) [GONE] Matthew Soar Home Page FWDcomputing on the Z88 and QL [GONE] Dominic Morris Z88 Projects Dennis Gröning - Cambridge Z88 BBCBASIC.org Use Graphics on your Z88 with the BBC BASIC Patch Rakewell Limited is not responsible for the content of these internet sites.

	We ship to other countries - USA - Hong Kong - Europe See Price list page for details.
	Company Details Vic Gerhardi 24 Putnams Drive Aston Clinton AYLESBURY Buckinghamshire HP22 5HH England m: +44 (0) 7976 351876 e: e-mail: sales@rakewell.com h: 10:00-16:00 Monday to Friday ...10:00-12:00 Saturday Banking Details PO Box 10102 21 Prescot Street LONDON E1 8TN Name V I Gerhardi Bank Code   09-01-35 Account No, 75876581 IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is GB27 ABBY 0901 3575 8765 81

Click the banner to read