Talisman Desktop 2.31 (build 2310) 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Contents ============================ Description Features New in version 2.31 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 version 2.3 ============================ 1. New LVDM (Virtual Desktop Manager) plugin. 2. New LDrive (drive space indicator) plugin. 3. New "commandmenu " command allows to bind the menu of last used commands and the list of all available commands with any inputbox object (see default theme as example). 4. Improved procedure of drawing of menus and HTML objects. 5. Thumbnail preview in the theme submenu. 6. Bug corrections. Known problems: --------------- 1. FindFile command does not work in shell-mode. 2. Shutdown dialog does not work with Windows 95. 3. Animated icons are not displayed in the Talisman tray. We'll correct these problems as soon as possible. Installing the program: ============================ - 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. 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: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- To have the possibility to use different shells for different users you have to login as Administrator 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 account. After that you can use TSS to switch shells from any user account. To start Talisman as default shell without using TSS (manually): ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Or you can switch between shells manually. Below are described all operations (same operations are made by TSS automatically): Win9x/ME: 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. NT4/Win2000/XP: 1) To make Talisman shell available for all users: a) Open up regedit and goto: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\IniFileMapping\system.ini\boot b) Change the value from 'SYS:Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon' to 'USR:Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon' 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 (\talisman.exe). 3) Change the string: HKey_Current_User\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\SeperateProcess from 0 to 1. 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 from "USR:Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" to "SYS:Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon". 9) Close regedit.exe. 10) Press Ctrl-Alt-Del and Restart Windows. 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. 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: 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.