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/* Original serial interface (1985) */ Nothing bad about an external PSU!
=== Original serial interface (1985) ===
Amstrad's first serial interface was one of the original peripherals released for the CPC. It was remarkable (in a bad way) for the necessity for an external, brick-like power supply.
Software was supplied on ROM, mostly comprising utility commands for hobbyists rather than a comms application per se - though there was limited terminal emulation for connecting to the then-popular [[Prestel]] service]. The original, UK version included commands for file transfer entitled |SUCK and |BLOW, which used a proprietary Amstrad format similar to [[XModem]]-1k but, annoyingly, subtly incompatible. These commands were reputedly renamed for the US edition to avoid causing offence.
== Alternative software ==
The limitations of the [[Commstar ]] software, and the desire to use more recently developed file transfer protocols (such as [[XModem]]-1k, [[YModem]] and [[ZModem]]) meant that many users chose to use their Amstrad serial interface with third-party software. This included: * [[Ansiterm]] - a fast AMSDOS utility (also known as ANSI.ARC)* [[Charley's Comms ROM]] - sideways ROM capable of 4800 baud terminal emulation* [[ZMP]] - ZModem file transfer under CP/M A vast range of comms software was available for [[CP/M]], including [[Bulletin board|bulletin board]] hosts, offline readers (notably [[CRR]] - CP/M Read and Reply), and many terminals.
== Pictures ==
* [[Media:PACE232.ZIP|ROM Image for Pace version]] - Commstar 32K ROM
[[Category:Peripherals]][[Category:Network]][[Category:Communication Software]] [[Category:Serial_interfaces]][[Category:Amstrad Products]][[Category:Expansion ROM]]
