Talisman Desktop 2.5   (build 2507)
Desktop manager and shell replacement for Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP
(C) Lighttek Software 1997-2002
http://www.lighttek.com
e-mail: support@lighttek.com

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Contents
============================
   Description
   Features
   New in version 2.5
   Known problems
   Installing the program
   Installing as default shell
   Uninstalling the program
   Starting
   Protection
   Paying
   Distribution terms
   Disclaimer of warranty





Description
============================

Using "Talisman", you can build any interface for your computer.
"Talisman" hides the standard desktop of Windows. 
You create and add almost any type of object to the Talisman desktop, and attach 
any type of internal Talisman commands or run any application. Objects 
(which can be either visible or invisible) can be programmed to react to 
mouse clicks or mouse movements. You can also add background pictures 
to the desktop and add sounds to different events. All settings and pictures 
are stored in a theme file. You can even make more than one theme and use 
objects with links to go from one theme to another. 
You can use Talisman as your default shell instead the Windows Explorer.
Talisman has its own startup ,system tray, taskbar and startmenu procedures.




Features:
============================

· Creating multilevel user defined desktops 
· Use of any number of pictures of any type or dimension, instead of standard icons. 
· Place, free-moving and imposing of objects in the Talisman workspace. 
· All objects can run external programs or internal shell commands by one click of the mouse. 
· The number of forms (screens) in one theme can range from 1 to 1000. Any screen object can be set to switch from one form to another. 
· You can create a set of independent themes, and store them on any disk in the local computer or on a local area network.
· You can easily switch between different themes through your own objects or through the Talisman menu. 
· The Built-in Object Editor allows the creation, modification and removal of any element in a theme. 
· Large number of basic elements (forms, pictures, buttons of different types,text blocks, HTML objects) 
· Customizable system tray, taskbar and clock. 
· Sound support for all events. 
· Applications menu, Task menu, Theme menu, Foldermenu, Run, Find, Desktop, ControlPanel, Network, Dialup, Documents and other internal commands.
· Script language.
· Plugins.

New in Talisman Desktop 2.5
============================

1. Support of 32bit Windows XP icons with 16, 24, 32, 48, 64, 72, 96, 128 sizes.
2. New List object with 17 presets (including XP icons presets).
3. Dragging files from external programs on the "Button" and "List" objects of Talisman.
4. Dragging files between "List" objects in the Talisman workspace.
5. Custom icons in the Talisman menu.
6. "Alignment" property for a "Text" object.
7. "Font color" setting for a pressed state of a "Button" object. 
8. Individual "Iconsize" settings for each state of a "Button" object. Allows to create "zoomers".
9. New "Mediaplayer" object and commands allow to control some popular audioplayers: Winamp 1/2/3, Windows Media Player 7/8/9, Apollo, QCD Player, CoolPlayer, Sonique.
10. New "Sendkeys" command allows to emulate pressing of hotkeys in any launched program. .
11. Added predefined commands for most frequently used programs in "Commands" menu of TOE.
12. New hotkeys for shell mode of Talisman:

WIN+T   - show Main Menu of Talisman;
WIN+F   - show Find File dialogue;
WIN+M    - minimize all windows;
WIN+D    - minimize all windows;
WIN+A    - show About window of Talisman;
WIN+E    - start Explorer; 
WIN+R   - show RUN dialogue;
WIN+Break   - show system properties;
WIN+F1   - open Talisman help;   
WIN+F3   - show Find File dialogue;
WIN+F5   - refresh Talisman desktop;
SHIFT+F10  - show popup menu for object in Talisman and in TOE objects tree.




Known problems:
---------------

1. Shutdown dialog does not work with Windows 95.
2. Talisman Tray doesn't display  DialUp icon in some systems with Windows XP/2000


We'll correct these problems as soon as possible.


Installing the program:
============================

- If you work in shell mode of Talisman - switch your shell in standard Windows shell Explorer.exe.
- Install the newest version of Talisman (do not start setup procedure from the working Talisman. Exit from Talisman before installation). 
- If you want Talisman to execute at startup, place a Talisman shortcut in your 
Startup Directory (c:\windows\start menu\programs\startup).
- Read an information about Shell mode of Talisman if you plan to use the Talisman as shell.


Installing as default shell
===========================


Please read the" What to do if the system will not startup with Talisman as the shell?" before installing Talisman as your default shell!


To start Talisman as default shell:
---------------------------------------------

Run Talisman Shell Switcher (TSS) program tss.exe to switch between shells (Talisman and Explorer). Select shell and press Ok. Computer will be restarted with selected shell.

Notes for multiuser configuration of Windows2000/XP:  
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To have the possibility to use different shells for different users you have to login as Administrator (or user with Administrator rights) and switch shells with Shell Switcher (tss.exe) at least once. TSS will make all necessary changes in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key of your register. These initial changes are available only from Administrator (or user with Administrator rights) account. 
After that you can use TSS to switch shells from any user account.




What to do if the system will not startup with Talisman as the shell?
==================================================

Step by step procedure to start Windows NT4/2000/XP if you uninstall Talisman in shell mode of 
Talisman:

1) Start computer.
2) After logining press Ctrl-Alt-Del
3) Press "Task Manager".
4) Press "New Task".
5) Enter: "regedit.exe" and press "Ok".
6) Change the value of register key :
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell
from "../talisman/talisman.exe" in "explorer.exe"
7) Change the value of register key :
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell
from "../talisman/talisman.exe" in "explorer.exe"
8) Change the value of register key :
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\IniFileMapping\system.ini\boot\Shell
from "USR:Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" to "SYS:Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon".
9) Change the value of register key :
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Separate Process
from "1" to "0".
10) Close regedit.exe.
11) Press Ctrl-Alt-Del and Restart Windows.

Notes: All changes in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE must be made by user with administrator rights.
All changes in HKEY_CURRENT_USER must be made for all users who switched shells before.
After any changes in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE you must Restart computer (not only logoff!).


For Windows 95/98:

1) Restart your computer - either turn it off, then back on or hit the reset button.
With this step timing is critical. As your computer reboots, it will run through a series of checks (memory, hard drives, etc.). After the checks, it will normally display a screen showing your basic hardware configuration. When it does that, push the F8 key (Windows95 and Windows98 do things a little differently here: Win95 shows a statement Starting Windows95, but Win98 does not). Shortly after pushing the F8 key, you will be presented with a menu of startup options.
2) Select "Start at command prompt"
3) When you get a c:> prompt, key in 
edit c:\windows\system.ini 
(if your windows directory is named something else use that).
4) The screen will change and you will be presented with a basic text editor. Most likely, you won't be able to use your mouse, so you will have to navigate with the keyboard. Use the down arrow to get to the proper line (shell=), then change this string in
shell=explorer.exe
5) Exit the editor. The keystrokes are alt+f to open the File Menu; then x to exit; then y to save the changes.
6) Restart.


For Windows ME:

1) You need to have a bootable diskette and start computer from this diskette.
2)  When you get a c:> prompt, key in 
edit c:\windows\system.ini 
(if your windows directory is named something else use that).
3) The screen will change and you will be presented with a basic text editor. Most likely, you won't be able to use your mouse, so you will have to navigate with the keyboard. Use the down arrow to get to the proper line (shell=), then change this string in
shell=explorer.exe
4) Exit the editor. The keystrokes are alt+f to open the File Menu; then x to exit; then y to save the changes.
5) Restart.





Uninstalling the program:
============================

If you want to uninstall Talisman, use the Control Panel's "Add/Remove Programs."

Attention!  Do not uninstall Talisman in the shell mode of Talisman. Return your shell in explorer.exe (useTalisman Shell Switcher "tss.exe" ) and only then uninstall Talisman from standard Windows shell.




Starting:
============================

Start Talisman.exe from Windows environment (by double click in Explorer for example).



PAYING
============================

1. Internet Online Registration

The simplest way to register, is by registering online with a major credit card
through a secure server. Point your browser to the following URL and follow 
instructions onscreen: 

https://secure.element5.com/register.html?productid=133413
or
https://www.regnow.com/softsell/nph-softsell.cgi?item=1333-4


2. Telephone and Fax Orders 

These types of orders should include ALL information contained on the Order Form. 

Telephone 
Toll Free: 877-353-7297
Regular: 425-392-2294 

Fax 
Toll Free: 888-353-7276
Regular: 425-392-0223 
 

3. Paying by Check via Postal Mail 

You should make checks payable to Universal Commerce, Inc., 
including the product's ID (1333-4) on the "memo" of the check. 
All order information except credit card information should be included 
in the Order Form  mail to: 

Universal Commerce, Inc.
ATTN Orders
PO Box 1816 Issaquah, WA 98027
USA


The fee for registered version of Talisman is: $25.00


The fee for Lighttek CD-ROM is: $45.00 (with shipping)
Lighttek CD-ROM: 
- Talisman Desktop (one user license) and more 200 themes. 
- Alteros3D (one user license) and all skins, 
- Melody  (one user license), 
- IconTOY (one user license),
- CD-version of Lighttek's website.


The fee for Talisman Themes CD-ROM is: $15.00 (with shipping)
Talisman Themes CD-ROM contains more 200 themes for Talisman Desktop. 
(This disk is similar to Lighttek CDROM but without registrations of Lighttek programs)


You should include an additional $2.50 per order for Mail and Fax Orders or $3 for Telephone orders.  


 
Distribution terms:
============================

Talisman may be distributed freely in its original unmodified and
unregistered form. The distribution must include all files in the
original distribution. 

Distributors may not charge any money for it, while
they may charge money for the medium (online-time, CD-ROM, etc.).

If you like to bundle Talisman with other programs, goods, services, 
etc. you are selling in a registered form please feel free to contact 
us at: <contact@lighttek.com> to figure out the conditions.





Disclaimer of warranty:
============================

This software is sold "as is" and without warranties whether expressed or
implied. Because of the various software and hardware environments into
which this program may be put, no warranty of fitness for a particular
purpose is offered.