Date   : Fri, 17 May 1996 16:36:00 PDT
From   : Eldridge Keith - LabS <Keith.Eldridge@...>
Subject: Re: BBC <-> PC connexion, the final message

Chris Lam wrote :
>I've managed to get the BBC and my Mac to talk with just 2 lines, namely
>
>   BBC GND -> MAC GND
>  DATA OUT -> DATA IN
>
>and similarly for my Ataris. The handshaking is not important for simple
>file transfers.

I wouldn't trust any file transfer without handshaking.  It is possible to 
use file transfer programs (eg kermit) with only 3 lines, ground and two 
data, with software handshaking (XON / XOFF).  Hardware handshaking is 
faster.

Also on a three line connection a PC RS232 port needs the hardware 
handshaking pins to be shorted (RTS to CTS and DTR to DSR, I think) to 
enable the port to send.

Elmo.

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