Talisman 1.4
Desktop manager and shell replacement for Windows 95/98/NT
(C) Lighttek Software 1999
http://www.lighttek.com
e-mail: support@lighttek.com

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Contents
============================
   Description
   Features
   New in version 1.4
   Installing the program
   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 shell command or run any application. Objects 
(which can be 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 the 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.





New in version 1.4
============================

1. New settings for the syspad in shell mode, now you can show/hide any in syspad (move button, start button, task button, clock).
2. Horizontal or vertical arrangement of all tray-icons.
3. "Always on top" option for syspad.
4. Show/hide settings for any command of the main menu. For example: you can hide the "Edit mode..." command to protect your theme from editing.
5. New file format for buttons. ".btn3" (".btn2", ".btn1") is a BMP image with 3(2,1) phases of buttons (normal, highlight and pressed). These files must be used by theme-authors to simplify the creation of stylish buttons. BTN* files must be placed in the theme's subfolders or in ../talisman/buttons subfolder.

6. Added "HTML Page" under Edit>New and added Added HTML objects commands. 
New commands for HTML-objects:

htmlback object_name
htmlforward object_name
htmlhome object_name
htmlrefresh object_name
htmlstop object_name
htmlurl object_name <URL>

When an HTML page object is created, Talisman assigns a name to it. For example, an HTML page created on form0 as the third object is assigned the name html0_3 (the name can be changed in the Editor). Thus in the command htmlback object_name, the "object_name" would be html0_3; the full command would be htmlback html0_3. New buttons can be created for each of the commands.

The HTML page can display Web pages, file directories, or files that have an assigned association. Examples of the commands are:

To display
a) A web page automatically in the HTML Page: Use the URL as the Filename in the HTML pages' properties; for example, http://www.lightek.com
b) A local file automatically in the HTML Page: Use "file:///[path]" (without the quotes); for example, file:///c:\talisman\readme.txt
c) A local directory automatically in the HTML Page: use "file:///[path]" (without the quotes); for example, file:///c:\talisman

To create a button to display
a) A web page in the HTML Page: use "htmlurl object_name url" (without the quotes); for example, htmlurl html0_3 http://www.lighttek.com/themes
b) A local file in the HTML Page: use "htmlurl object_name path" (without the quotes); for example, htmlurl html0_3 file:///c:\talisman\readme.txt

7. "Open theme folder" command in the Theme submenu.
8. New file theme.ini in the theme folder.
9. "Show/Hide Taskbar" command in the menu for the non-shell mode of Talisman.
10. Clock font settings in the theme.ini. For example:

clockfontcolor=16711000
clockfontsize=8
clockfontname=arial

11. New internal command "controlmenu" to show popupmenu with all Control Panel elements.
12. New internal commands: mycomputer, network, dialup, recycle to open respective windows.
13. Grid submenu in Edit-mode menu.
14. Foldermenu opens the Talisman theme if you select the runic.db file.

Corrections:
------------

1. Blocked "Alt-F4" key combination in shell mode.
2. Removed Talisman icon from the Alt-Tab menu.
3. Corrected label's redrawing for buttons in highlighted and pressed states.
4. Other changes and corrections.


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

1. Talisman not works in shell-mode (with string "shell=c:\talisman\talisman.exe" in system.ini) on some computers. Please inform us If you have received such error by e-mail support@lighttek.com. Please include in letter the list of your hardware configuration (CPU, Videocard, RAM etc) and list of startup applications (look it in msconfig.exe).
2. FindFile command not works in shell-mode.
3. Shutdown dialogue not works with Win95.
4. 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.

We'll correct these problems as soon as possible.





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

- Run the setup for Talisman and install it in the directory of your choice. 
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 short up 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 works with your installed version of BDE.





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

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 .
	4) Save the file and either reboot your system or if you have multiple
	   profiles logoff and log back in.
	 
NT/W2K:
	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.






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

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





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

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 about 100 themes for it. 
Abracadabra 1.26 (shareware-version), Melody 1.52 (shareware-version), 
IconTOY 3.1 (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
============================

Lizenz Preis: 45DM (23Euro)

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
============================

Read "Registration" in talisman.hlp.



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

Talisman may be distributed freely in its original unmodified and
unregistered form. The distribution have to include all files of its
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.