Section 4
Other Serial Devices
The Z88 should be able to hook up to just about any serial device. The key factor is this, the serial device should not expect any special driver software to run on the computer. Things like scanners require software on the computer to convert the graphic image to text. Without this software, the scanner is only good for graphics. Even with this limitation, there are a number of serial devices that can be hooked up to the Z88.
One such device that I have is a speech converter box, originally designed for the QL, but since SER2 on the QL is almost wired exactly the same as the serial port on the Z88, it interfaces just fine. The speech box expects to receive ASCII text, just as if you were sending the text to a printer. The box then converts it to speech and you hear the results coming out of the speaker. I don’t use it much, but it’s kind of fun to play with. If a person were blind, they could have the Z88 read through a text file and output it to the speech box so that it could be heard.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS WITH THE Z88
One of the greatest limiting factors about the Z88 is the 8 rows of display. If you are dialing into a remote system they usually assume that you have 24 rows. And the VT52 terminal the Z88 emulates is defined as having 24 rows. When dialing into a Unix system, I have found a way around this limitation. Using the command “stty rows 8” I tell my Unix box that I now have only 8 rows of display. It will then give me formatted output in chunks of 8 rows at a time. This allows me to use vi (a Unix text editor), more, and read my Usenet News with my Z88.
Using Telecommunications to Save Files
I’ve done a few dumb things with my Z88 that have caused me to lose all of the files stored on it. Things like putting the batteries in backwards can have disastrous effects on your files. I would like to have a Z88 disk drive so that I could back up files to disk while I’m on the road. The cost of a disk drive has prevented me from doing this.
Since I have a modem and dial into my Unix account at work, I have figured out that this would be a good way to back up my files. When I have a file I want to back up I dial into my Unix account and upload the file to it. It may take a bit to transfer, but I will now have a copy of the file saved in a safe place. This does limit me to sending text-only files (no formatted PipeDream documents), but I can live with this limitation.
On-Line Services with the Z88
On-Line Services are the new hot topic in computers. America Online, Prodigy, CompuServe, Delphi, and GEnie are all vying to get you to connect to their service to connect to the rest of the world. Unfortunately, most of these services require that you use their special communications software that makes the most of their service. Of the major On-Line services, I believe that CompuServe is the only one still providing the old text-only interface.
Z88 and the Internet Internet Services
The Internet has a number of ways of getting information: World Wide Web. Also known as the Web or WWW, the World Wide Web is accessed using a Web Browser. Data is in the form of documents, graphics, video, sound, etc. The interface is mouse driven and has “hot links” which when clicked on bring up another Web document/page.
Gopher
Kind of like the Web but uses a menu interface similar to that used by a BBS. The original Gopher interface was character based, but graphical ones were developed. Gopher has almost been taken over by the Web.
Telnet
Allows you to connect or login to another system and start using it. Connecting to a BBS is kind of like telnet-ing.
FTP – File Transfer Protocol
Allows you to transfer files to and from another computer. It only allows commands like GET and PUT. Does not allow you to run an application on another computer (like Telnet does).
Finger
Finger is a protocol/application that queries another computer for information about a person on the computer. Some people have useful information that is returned via the finger command.
Electronic mail is one of the primary reasons for getting on the Internet. Letters can take minutes instead of days to get where they are going.
USENET
USENET is kind of like the Internet News Service. It’s a loose collection of computers sharing messages that their users write. USENET sends articles or “postings” around the world.
How to do this on the Z88
With a little effort you can get your Z88 to access most of these services. The key thing that allows this for the Z88 is a VT52 terminal (emulated on the Z88 via Terminal). VT52 is not as popular as the VT100, but most Unix systems will support it.
To make all this work you will need to get a Unix account on a computer someplace. A number of local Internet Providers allow “shell” accounts. The Unix shell is what gives you a command line prompt (like QDOS or MS-DOS). Once you have access to your Unix account from your Z88, you are on the Internet.
Accessing Web
There is a text-only Web browser called Lynx. I’ve tried it and it will support VT52, but it has a few problems. The biggest one being that because VT52 does not seem to support inverse characters, you do not know which “hot link” you have moved to. You use the Tab key to move from hot link item to hot link item. If you count the number of tabs and the hot links, you should be able to figure out where you are.
Accessing Gopher
There are some text only gopher browsers. If one is executed off of your local system, it should understand that you only have 8 lines of display (see the STTY command mentioned above). If you are telneting to a gopher browser, then it will assume that you have 24 lines of display.
Accessing USENET
USENET readers are mostly text-only and should be able to handle having only 8 lines of display. I use NN and it works just fine. Other readers are TIN and RN.
Accessing Mail, Telnet, FTP, Finger
All of these services do not depend on having a certain type of display. They will scroll the data down the screen. These services are suitable for use with the Z88.
To use Lynx and Gopher, make sure your Internet Provider has these installed on your host. Even without them, there are ways to access the same information. Even with just an e-mail only account, a number of these services can still be accessed. Below is a list of more interesting sites for services.
Telnet: Archie ( a way to look up stuff available on FTP servers.) telnet archie.sura.net telnet archie.unl.edu Newspapers Online telnet kanga.ins.cwru.edu Weather Services telnet downwind.sprl.umich.edu 3000 Gopher: Catalog Mart gopher catalog.savvy.com Census Information gopher gopher.census.gov Currency Exchange gopher caticsuf.csufresno.edu Electronic Journals gopher gopher.enews.com Finger: Almanac of Events finger copi@oddjob.uchicago.edu Earthquake Info finger quake@gldfs.cr.usgs.gov NASA Headline News finger nasanews@space.mit.edu Mail: Archie via E-Mail mail archie@archie.sura.net (with Subject of help) Fax via Internet (send a fax via e-mail!!!) mail tcp-faq@town.hall.org (info) mail tcp-coverage@town.hall.org (where you can fax) FTP via E-Mail mail ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com (in body of message put help or ftplist) Finger via E-Mail mail infobot@infomania.com (with Subject of #HELP) Gopher via E-Mail mail gophermail@calvin.edu
This is just a small listing of what is available. The key thing to get is that with a Z88 you can still reach a large percent of the information available on the Internet.
DOING THINGS WITH THE Z88
The Z88 as a PDA/PIM
The terms Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and Personal Information Manager (PIM) have been used a lot in the press. A PDA has been used to define what is an Apple Newton or Psion Series 3. It can be considered to be a small hardware device that performs tasks like scheduling (with alarm), phone number list, etc.. Some PDAs are more limited (like the Casio Boss, or Sharp Wizard) where as some are more open ended (Newton and Series 3). A PIM is usually a piece of software for a standard PC that performs similar functions as a PDA.
After looking at my Z88, I’ve noticed that it seems to fall within the definition of a PDA. The Calendar, Diary, and Alarm applications can be used together to set up a nice time schedule and reminder. The Diary allows you to keep track of schedules by day and allows you to insert comments or memos about the day’s events. Zipping between days is fairly fast with the Calendar.
Using the Z88 in a Home Office
One trend that I’ve been interested in the last few years is the Home Office. A Home Office is a room or section of a room set up to do office-like work. It can be designed for doing office work at home, running a business out of your home, or keeping your personal/home life organized like a business. With the complexities of taxes, investments, home ownership, etc., your personal life is starting to look like you are running a business.
The Home Office is centered around a computer, it’s software, and it’s peripherals. Most Home Office computers are configured just like their counterparts at the office. There are also Home Office designed “appliances” like fax machines, answering machines, small copiers, etc. The Z88 can be fairly functional when used to run a business or home. It’s word processor is adequate for most uses. It’s spread sheet can be used for most spreadsheet needs.
For the applications that are not built into the Z88, the BBC Basic facility allows you to write your own application. They don’t need to be too fancy, just make them functional enough to do the job. Remember, short Basic programs take up less space than longer full-blown ones, and space is at a premium on the Z88.
Although I would not have a Z88 take on a full blown 486 system, it can still do well, despite it’s limitations. If you only have a Z88, file storage can be a problem. EPROMs can get mighty expensive and Z88 disk drives are not exactly cheap. I feel the Z88 works best with another computer to be used as a file server. Dumping Z88 files on another computer keeps important files backed up and can free some much needed memory in the Z88.
The advantage of the Z88 is that your office computer can go with you on the road. If you have a tendency to travel, having your Z88 along will allow you to keep right on working.
If you are interested in Home Offices, there are a number of books out on the subject. One good one that covers more non-computer related items is “Organizing Your Home Office for Success” by Lisa Kanarek. It spends a lot of time discussing how to keep yourself organized. It does cover computers, but only at a more general level. One good magazine is “Home Office Computing.” It covers PC’s and Mac’s, but also has some general information tips. Part of the fun is figuring out how to adapt what you read in the magazines to the Z88.
Things to Remember When Using The Z88
The Z88 comes with a few limitations besides the obvious ones. Keeping these limitations in mind should help in keeping a harmonious relationship with your Z88.
Be Aware of Memory Constraints.
Unless you splurged on a couple 1 Meg add-ons, your Z88 memory can be a little cramped. Try not to do anything that would eat up a lot of memory. Don’t make back ups of your Z88 files on the Z88. Put them on another computer or on disk.
Use Short Hand Notations.
In using an application like the Diary, use short hand notations to stand for your more common phrases. P: can mean Phone, W: can mean to write a note or letter, F: can mean to send a fax, and FU can mean to Follow-Up. Notations like these can save bytes here and there.
Back Up Often to Disk or another Computer.
The Z88 memory is volatile. One wrong or stupid move and ZAP, everything is gone. Back up your important files almost daily to either disk or to another computer. If you are using your Z88 for business, it is even more critical to back your files up (at least those that have changed since the last backup).
One little confession to show you how easy it is to ZAP your Z88. When the battery low warning came on, I grabbed my spare batteries, opened the back of the Z88, took out the old batteries, put in the new ones, buttoned it back up, and set the Z88 off to the side for a while. The next time I went to turn it on, it would not turn on. The reason: I put the new batteries in backwards. Result: I lost two important files. It can happen to you.
Tips that apply to Using the Z88 As a PDA/PIM
Make Time to Use Your Z88 to Manage Your Time.
If you are going to use the Z88 to help manage your life, job, or business, take the time out of every day to update your Z88 for what happened today and prepare for the next day. Make sure to add all of the items on your schedule. What good is a personal management system if you don’t use it?
Find a Good Time Management Book
Getting a hold of a good time management / personal planning book can help you get the most of using your Z88 as a PDA/PIM. You need to build a management system and use the Z88 to help automate that system. The Z88 can not create the system for you.
SOURCES
Suppliers
FDW Computing W. N. Richardson & Co.
Frank Davis 6 Ravensmead
PO Box 17 Chalfont-St-Peter
Mexico, IN 46958 Buckinghamshire, SL9
ONB, UK
Rakewell Ltd Domino Cubes
24 Putnams Dr Mike Fink
Ashton Clinton, Aylesbury 352 7th Ave, 15th Floor
Buckinghamshire, HP22 New York, NY 10001
5HH, UK
Woodward Technology QHJ Freeware
P.O. Box 15 c/o Tim Swenson
Belper, Derbyshire UK [address omitted]
PE56 OXE Union City CA 94587-1914
Roy Wisti Ranger Computers Ltd
135 Sheldon Rd Ranger House
Voluntown, CT 06384 2 Meeting Lane, Duston
Northampton NN5 6JG UK
Web Pages
Z88 Developers Notes v. 2
http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/users/jrh/devnotes
Z88 Forever Page
http://members.aol.com/Z88Forever/Z88home.htm
Tim Swenson’s Page
http://www.serve.com/swensont/
Z88 Source Book, Z88 Mailing List
Timothy Swenson
[e-mail address omitted]
www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/pines
I (Tim Swenson) am keeping an up-to-date list of Z88 users with Internet access (this includes such on-line providers like CompuServe, GEnie, etc). Please send an e-mail message to one of the above addresses and I will send you the latest list. If you wish, I can add you to the list. This list is designed to work like a phone book and is not a “true” mailing list or LISTSERV.
General Laptop Book
The book “The Complete Laptop Guide” by David Rothman is a good source for general laptop use. It focuses mostly on MS-DOS and MAC portables, but it has a couple of chapters applicable to all laptop users. These sections include traveling abroad with a laptop, getting your laptop through customs, telecommunications, on-line sources, and the basics of electronic mail.
Z88 Rumors and Tid Bits of Eclectic Information
This section is designed to cover the more interesting bits of the Z88 and who has used it.