CompuServe Thread

#Casio 2 Amiga link?

15 messages in this thread
#178984From: Bil SwartzDec 19, 1994 1:20 PM
Does anyone have any experience or info on linking Casio BOSS pocket organizers to the Amiga? I have the SF4600BX and from what I've seen, uses a cable that looks like male stereo mini-plugs on each end to link 2 organizers together. Casio does sell a PC link kit but it is expensive. Any and all info appreciated! Bil
#179057From: Eulogio (DJ) GarciaDec 19, 1994 10:01 PM
Bil, Try looking in the PALMTOP forum. Casio has a section there. DJ On AP from Queens, the thrill and excitement of the Big Apple Where the ice cream truck plays Helter Skelter …
#179172From: bob campbellDec 20, 1994 5:08 PM
Bil Good question. I've got a BOSS too and have wondered whether it's possible to down load to the Amiga without buying Casio's PC link it. The kit *is* expensive. Please let me know if you get an answer Bob Campbell Clover, SC
#179203From: BRAD HAYESDec 20, 1994 10:12 PM
Bob & Bill: I have a Sharp Wizard, and don't know the BOSS as well, but dont they have a modem conection? I just E-Mail things to my self. Brad Hayes Hayes Visual Communication
#179553From: Bil SwartzDec 23, 1994 2:50 PM
As others have stated, you may find it worthwhile to look into the Palmtop forum here on CIS. There is talk of a PCX bitmap file that details how to build a cable. I'd imagine that is more than half the battle as the cable must do voltage correction and such. I have learned that it is easy enough to hack a cable to connect 2 BOSS units. They seem to a want a 2mm stereo plug on each end. By crossing what would in audio be called left and right you'd connect send to receive on each unit and be ready to roll. Once we build a cable for 232 connection, I wonder if we can't just catch the text out of the BOSS with a comm program? And could we just resend the text to the BOSS to perform a restore function? I have the SF-4600BX, if anyone finds anything I'd sure like to hear it! -BiL- woovis@infinet.com
#179640From: Leonard AbbeyDec 24, 1994 4:41 AM
Bil &/or Bob, I too would be very interested in ANY information on connecting Casio's to the AMIGA. SO far I have only seen questions, never any positive answers. Regards Leonard
#179756From: Paul WrightDec 26, 1994 6:34 PM
I have followed this discussion on the Palmtop forum a couple of years ago (I think it was called something else then). I have their cable and software and use it on the IBM and I think I have seen Apple II software for it somewhere. Although the cable looks just like a DB25 on one end and a stereo plug on the other, apparently it is more complex than that. If I remember correctly, there is a chip buried in the DB25 plastic that inverts all the signals. Didn't sound all that electrically complex but a nuisance to build. I guess Casio charges what the traffic will bear. —–Paul—–
#179824From: Bil SwartzDec 27, 1994 11:20 AM
Paul, I too have found that the Palmtop forum has a lot of info in it… including a pcx picture of how to build the cable. It does require a MAC233A chip which I am having trouble finding a source of. Besides the chip, you are right, it needs a DB25 at one end and a submini (2mm) stereo mini plug at the other. There is apparently some custom handshaking going on so normal telecom programs won't work. :{( But there is a free program in Palmtop called CASIF for messydos that should run under emulation. I'll try that once I get the cable built. If anyone else has info chime in or email me! Bil 73357,121 woovis@infinet.com
#180565From: william blaylockJan 3, 1995 2:28 AM
Bil, I am in the process of building one for my maiga using the one bought for my IBM… the chip numbers in mine are all easy to find… I will post a picture of some kind, and info as to how the software went in about 1 week (just got the parts <G>) *MD* W. A. Blaylock M.F.I. Comfortable Software [75201,2327 CIS] sharecty!william.blaylock@xmission.com or william.blaylock@privy.com
#180631From: Bil SwartzJan 3, 1995 9:57 PM
Thanks for the note Bill, I'll look VERY forward to hearing from you on the parts and software to link BOSS to Ami! Please keep me posted… Bil 73357,121 woovis@infinet.com
#180671From: Leonard AbbeyJan 4, 1995 5:33 AM
William, do I understand correctly, you ae building a CASIO to AMIGA link? Will this be hardware or software? I have the IBM hardware but nothing to run it on, I really would like to access the diary from my AMIGA. More information please. Regards Leonard
#180788From: william blaylockJan 5, 1995 2:18 AM
Leonard, I am doing both… copying my ibm hardware ('cause my amiga and my ibm are physically far apart)… the software is only in the infant stages but who knows from there… CASIO has been most helpful in answering questions even after I told them what I was doing <G> *MD* W. A. Blaylock M.F.I. Comfortable Software [75201,2327 CIS] sharecty!william.blaylock@xmission.com or william.blaylock@privy.com
#180895From: Tom JonesJan 5, 1995 11:15 PM
William bully for you, hope you get the Casio/Ami interface to work. Like others here I have the PC interface hardware. I hope to someday see you upload the Amiga software that we are all missing to the forum here. I see by your tagline you are "Comfortable Software", sounds like you have the tools to actually do this job. Best of luck. > CASIO has been most helpful in answering questions > even after I told them what I was doing <G> Sure they are. They aren't the guys that built the interface in the first place, Traveling Software did. Tom alternate: jonest@hfsi.com I never met a man I didn't like…Will Rogers
#179432From: Tom JonesDec 22, 1994 9:34 AM
Hi I have had a SF7500 and my wife has a SF8000. I had the same thought a number of years ago and visited with the palmtop forum for a while (casio hangs out there). The upshot was that the only way available was to purchase the PC-Link software and cable. They made one for Macintosh too I believe. I use the PC-Link to dump to/from my PC now. It is a bit clumsy but at least I get a usable backup saved to harddisk once in a while. It cost me about $100.00, not cheap. There was a kit sold by Casio to programmers that gave them license to program for the palmtops and the information needed. It cost a lot also, over $1000 I seem to recall. There were also some files in the forum that outlined the format used by the serial interface to transfer data, for interested programmers. I have never found a shareware or freeware program that uses the Casio serial port. If anyone knows of any, please leave the information here. It would be nice to find a program to PC-Link to the Amiga or just to dump the address list to it in txt format. Thanks Tom Jones alternate: jonest@hfsi.com I never met a man I didn't like…Will Rogers
#179545From: Malcolm O'BrienDec 23, 1994 12:04 PM
Tom, What a coincidence. I have an SF-8000 and she has a 7500. I bought the PC-Link package despite the cost and used it with a PC when I had one. The software is, I'm sure, no challenge for the most minimal of PC emulators on Ami. But it would be neat to have a native application all right. Malcolm