Talisman 1.6.1
Desktop manager and shell replacement for Windows 95/98/NT/2000
(C) Lighttek Software 1997-2000
http://www.lighttek.com
e-mail: support@lighttek.com

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Contents
============================
   Description
   Features
   New in version 1.6
   Installing the program
   Installing as default shell
   Uninstalling the program
   Starting
   Protection
   Paying
   Distribution terms
   Disclaimer of warranty





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

The basic sphere of application of "Talisman" is the creation 
of custom-made interfaces for computers. Now, with the help of "Talisman," 
it is possible to create a rather interesting "virtual" world on the computer. 
This world can contain sets of screens, forms, "rooms" and objects. 
You create and add almost any type of object to the 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, 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 999. 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) 
 Storage of all workspace configuration data is done in a database which is "Paradox" formatted to allow editing by standard means. 
 Syspad with trayicons, tasklist and clock. 
 Sound support for all events. 
 Applications, Task, Theme, Foldermenu, Run, Find, Desktop, ControlPanel, Network, Dialup, Documents commands.
 Script language.


New in version 1.6
============================

1. Customizable Templates for a new themes are added.
2. "Go to form xxx" submenu is added in the edit-mode popup menu.
3. "Inputbox" object is added. This object may be useful for interfaces with a command string and as the alternative for Run-dialog.
4. "Align" properties for shapes and pictures are added. 
5. "Allheight" and "Allwidth" properties for shapes are added.
6. Tiled wallpaper for shapes.
7. New commands:
enter <objectname> - run the command of any other object ;
changewallpaper <N form> - open "Open picture" dialog and change wallpaper of form;
changeformcolor <N form> - open "Select color" dialog and change color  of form.
8. "Save button" command in the Talisman Object Editor is added. The buttons can be saved in two formats: BTN3 or BMP.
9. New theme submenu is added. You can create a simple theme, duplicate current theme or create a new theme from template.
10. New form submenu is added. You can create a simple form or duplicate current theme.
11. The  error of version 1.51 with doubling of form's background picture in the database is corrected.
12. "Delete form" command is corrected. Now this command remove form and all objects of this form.
13. New default themes. New templates and buttons.
14. Drag&Drop functions in work-mode was disabled.
15. Version 1.61 correct the "shell-mode startup bug" in syspad.dll.

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


1. FindFile command does not work in shell-mode.
2. Shutdown dialogue does not work with Windows 95.
3. Z-configuration of the syspad buttons in shell-mode with vertical orientation of the tray icons. We recommend to hide all syspad buttons in this case.
4. Controlmenu command does not work with Windows NT/2000.

We'll correct these problems as soon as possible.



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

- Uninstall any previously installed versions of the Talisman.
- Run the setup for Talisman and install it in the DEFAULT directory C:\TALISMAN. 
The installation also creates a "Borland" subdirectory in the "Program Files" Directory 
(c:\program files\borland). The "Borland" directory is essential to the program. 
Do not remove or rename it.
- If you want Talisman to execute at startup, place a Talisman shortcut in your 
Startup Directory (c:\windows\start menu\programs\startup).
- If you have installed version of BDE (Borland Database Engine) on your computer 
or you have received the installation message about another version of BDE -
please, return (press "Back" button) and select the Compact installation in Setup Dialogue. 
Talisman will work with your installed version of BDE.





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

1) Please read the" What to do if the system will not startup with Talisman as the shell?" before installing Talisman as your default shell!
2) Do not install Talisman in  folders with a "long file names" (like c:/Program Files/...)  if you plan to use Talisman as your default shell!

To start Talisman as default shell:

Run Talisman Shell Switcher program tss.exe to switch between shells (Talisman and Explorer).

Or you can switch between shells manually:

Win9x:
	1) Open system.ini in a text editor like notepad or type sysedit at the run
	   dialog box.
	2) In the [boot] section find the line shell=Explorer.exe
	3) Either change the line to shell=c:\talisman\talisman.exe where c:\talisman
	   is the path where you have installed Talisman to, or you can put a 
	   semicolon (;) infront of shell=Explorer.exe, hit return, and on the new
	   line type shell=c:\talisman\talisman.exe .

Note: if you have installed Talisman in a directory whose name contains more than eight characters, you will have to use the MS-DOS name in the shell= command. For example, if you installed Talisman in C:\Program Files\Talisman, the shell command becomes shell=c:\progra~1\talisman\talisman.exe. To find the MS-DOS name right click on the folder, select "Properties" and find the statement "MS-DOS name."


	4) Save the file and either reboot your system or if you have multiple
	   profiles logoff and log back in.
	 
NT/Win2000:
	1) To make Talisman the system wide shell:
		a) Open up regedit and goto:
           	   HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon\Shell
		b) Change the value from Explorer to Talisman
	2) To make Talisman the shell for the current user:
		a) Open up regedit and create the key:
		   HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell
		b) Give this new key the value Talisman.



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

If your system will not startup with Talisman as the shell, it is easy to go back to explorer.exe as the shell, but requires a step backward into the pre-Windows95 days of DOS. Here's what to do:
	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.
	Select Start at command prompt
	When you get a c:> prompt, key in edit c:\windows\system.ini (if your windows directory is named something else use that).
	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 make the necessary changes.
	Exit the editor. The keystrokes are alt+f to open the File Menu; then x to exit; then y to save the changes.
	Restart.




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

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

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




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

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





Protection:
============================

Talisman is distributed as Shareware. This is not Freeware or 
Public Domain. You may use the shareware version for 30 days.
If after 30 days you would like to continue using it, then You 
should purchase a license. After you pay, you receive Registration
Name and Registration key from the author to tell Talisman that
you have paid the shareware fee.




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

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 Talisman CD-ROM is: $45.00 (with shipping)
CD-ROM: Talisman (one user license) and more 100 themes for it. 
Abracadabra  (shareware-version), Melody  (shareware-version), 
IconTOY (shareware-version), CD-version of Lighttek's website.

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






Paying in Europe
============================

Uberweisung: 
Andreas Bruckmann
Konto: 2706661
BLZ: 37070024
Bank: Deutsche Bank 24
Deutschland

Scheck an:
Andreas Bruckmann
Perleberger Weg 33
40593 Duesseldorf

Information: 
e-mail: proauto@gmx.de
+49-179-2040181
+49-179-2040182
+49-2204-916686, fax



Paying in Russia and xUSSR
============================

http://www.mkrsoft.ru/talisman/form.shtml



 
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: <support@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.