Talisman 1.5
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

----------------------------------------------------------------------


Contents
============================
   Description
   Features
   New in version 1.5
   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 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 1.5
============================

1. The Talisman Object Editor (TOE) is now a separate program: toe.exe.

2. Clock font setting is added in TOE.

3. Script support is added. You can enter multiple commands in the button command string with ";" as a separator. Or you can create a  *.tscr file - a text file with one command on each line. 

4. Autostart command for a theme is added.

5. New commands: 

mydoc - show My Documents window.

pause <N> - N is a delay in  seconds/10.

refresh - refresh the active form.

wavplay <filename> - play a wav file.

write <form number> <object name> <field number> <value>  - change any property of an object from the command string. Caution! This is a very dangerous command, therefore it can change any value in Talisman's database component without any limitations and protections. You must know the organization of database component, runic.db, to use this command.

======================================================================
Fields: Description:                                    Type of value:
======================================================================
1.	Form - number of form                           / integer 
2.	Number - number of object in current form       / integer 
3.	Top - y-coordinate of object in pixels          / integer 
4.	Left - x-coordinate of object in pixels         / integer 
5.	Width - width of object in pixels               / integer 
6.	Height - height of object in pixels             / integer 
7.	Path or command                                 / string
8.	Hint - caption or hint for buttons              / string
9.	Type. Can not be changed from the command string.
10.	Color - color of object                         / decimal value of RGB color

11-14	Pictures. Can not be changed from the command string.

15.	Font - fontname                                 / string
16.	Size - font size                                / integer 
17.	FontType - font style (normal , bold, italic)   / n -normal, b -bold, i -italic, z - bolditalic 
18.	FontColor - font color                          / decimal value of RGB color
19.	X - X displacement of text field in pixels      / integer 
20.	Y - Y displacement of text field in pixels      / integer 
21.	W - not used                                    / integer 
22.	H - not used                                    / integer 
23.	Dir - current work directory                    / string
24.	Name - name of object                           / string
25.	Memo - field for any text data <64kb            / string
======================================================================

draw <x> <y> <filename> - draw a picture (filename) on the form with the left coRner of picture in x,y.

6. *.mnu files support is added. *.mnu file is a custom menu. For example menu from 3 lines:

[menu]
first=calc.exe;pause 10;wavplay start.wav
second=charmap.exe
third=script.tscr


7. "Background picture" property for forms is added. You can use a Centered, Tiled, Stretched images as a wallpapers for any form.

8. Talisman Shell Switcher program is added in distribution. New command "Shell Switcher" is added in Commands submenu.


Other changes:
--------

1. Removed the "Picture from database" object. Now all pictures must be stored in separate files (bmp, jpg). However, Talisman 1.5 will still support old themes with pictures stored in the database, but the program can no longer create such objects.
2. Changed the WorkArea settings. Now all workarea coordinates are stored in the theme.ini file (in version 1.4 it was in the database). T1.5 does not support old workarea settings and you need to reenter your workarea setting in the Object Editor (TOE) or in the theme.ini.
3. Changed default color of syspad's clock. It is white.
4. Removed tiled background picture stored in database for forms. Now all forms backgrounds will be stored in separate files (bmp, jpg).
5. "Pack" button was removed from the Object Editor. Now a database is packed automatically.



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

1. Talisman does not work in shell-mode (with string "shell=c:\talisman\talisman.exe" in system.ini) on some computers. Please inform us by e-mail at support@lighttek.com if you have received such error. 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 does not work in shell-mode.
3. Shutdown dialogue does not work with Windows 95.
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.
5. Controlmenu command does not work with Windows NT/2000.

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

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.






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 more 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 (25Euro)

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.