Talisman Desktop 2.97  (build 2970)
Desktop manager and shell replacement for Windows 95/98/ME/NT4/2000/XP
(C) Lighttek Software 1997-2006
http://www.lighttek.com
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Contents
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   Description
   Features
   New in version 2.97
   Installing the program
   Updating 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. 
 Any number of forms (screens) in one theme. 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, Flash objects, clocks, calendars and other) 
 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.
 Messages engine for communication with other programs. 
 Plugins.
 Keyboard control. 
 Protection and limited access functions.



New in Talisman Desktop 2.97
==========================

- Added alpha-blended PNG support for Picture, Shape, Form, Desktop, Analog Clock objects.

- Added "custom size" option for Picture objects. Now any Picture object can be scaled.  

- Updated Object Editor (TOE):
   - rearranged controls for a Button object. Now X,Y position boxes are hidden by default.
   - Added "Copy/Paste" commands in the popup menu of the objects tree.
   - Added "New" submenu in the popup menu of the objects tree.
   - Predefined "Google/Yahoo/MSN search" commands were added in the InputBox Commands menu. 

- Added "tobject <form>.<button>.redraw" function for Button objects. It works without theme refreshing. Note: this function redraws a button directly on the previous image. Therefore you should use it only for rectangular objects without transparent areas.

- Added "tobject <form>.<picture>.redraw" function for Picture objects. It works without theme refreshing. Note: this function redraws a picture directly on the previous image. Therefore you should use it only for rectangular objects without transparent areas.

- Added "tobject <form>.<picture>.picture=<filename>" command for Picture objects. It works without theme refreshing. Note: this function redraws a picture directly on the previous image. Therefore you should use it only for rectangular objects without transparent areas.

- Added "tobject windows.workarea.refresh" function. Changing of Windows workarea size doesn't require full refreshing of a theme now.

- Added a custom command line for the List object (like for the InputBox object). If you enter any Talisman command line in this box with [value] variable - the word [value] will be replaced by selected List item text in the executable command.

- Fixed the "Save First Item Position" bug in List objects of top forms.

- Other changes and bug fixes.






Installing the program:
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- If you work in shell mode of Talisman - switch your shell in standard Windows shell Explorer.exe.
- If you need to save your previously installed default Talisman themes ("Default", "WindowsXP" and etc) - copy these themes in other folders.
- Install the newest version of Talisman. 
- 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.


Updating the program:
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- If you work in shell mode of Talisman - switch your shell in standard Windows shell Explorer.exe.
- If you need to save your previously installed default Talisman themes ("Default", "WindowsXP" and etc) - copy these themes in other folders.
- Install the newest version of Talisman over your previously installed version. 


Installing as default shell
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At first 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:
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Select "Shell Switcher" in MainMenu>Settings  to switch between shells (Talisman and Explorer). Press "Switch shell..." button and press Ok. Computer will be restarted with selected shell.

Notes for multiuser configuration of Windows2000/XP:  
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To have 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  at least once. Talisman 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 Shell Switcher to switch shells from any user account.




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

Exit from Talisman before uninstall!

Please do not uninstall Talisman in the shell mode of Talisman. Switch your shell to explorer.exe (useTalisman Shell Switcher ) and only then uninstall Talisman from the standard Windows shell.




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



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

We accept the following types of payment: Credit card, Fax, Phone, Mail, Cash. On payment approval we'll send you the registration key which will remove all limitations of unregistered version.  To purchase the program 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

The fee for registered version of Talisman is: $25.00


 
Distribution terms:
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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: http://www.lighttek.com/support.htm 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.