Talisman 1.4 beta 2 Desktop manager and shell replacement for Windows 95/98/NT (C) Lighttek Software 1999 http://www.lighttek.com e-mail: support@lighttek.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, Documents commands. News in version 1.4 beta 2 =================== 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" is a BMP image with 3 phases of buttons (normal, highlight and pressed). These files must be used by theme-authors to simplify creation of stylish buttons by the users. BTN3 files must be placed in the theme folder or in ../talisman/buttons subfolder. 6. Added HTML objects. New commands for HTML-objects: htmlback object_name htmlforward object_name htmlhome object_name htmlrefresh object_name htmlstop object_name htmlurl object_name 7. "Open theme folder" command in the Theme submenu 8. New file theme.ini in the theme folder. 9. windowstaskbar=0 [1] setting in the theme.ini to show [hide] Windows Taskbar in the non-shell mode of Talisman. 10. Clock font settings in the theme.ini. For example: clockfontcolor=16711000 clockfontsize=8 clockfontname=arial Corrections: ------------ 1. Blocked "Alt-F4" key combination in shell mode. 2. Removed Talisman icon from the Alt-F4 menu. 3. Other changes and corrections. Known problems: --------------- Talisman does 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 this error by e-mail: support@lighttek.com. Please include in letter the list of your hardware configuration (CPU, Videocard, RAM etc:) and a list of startup applications (look it in msconfig.exe). 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. 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 and select the Compact installation in Setup Dialogue. 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). 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 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: 37070060 Bank: Deutsche Bank Koln Deutschland Scheck an: Andreas Bruckmann Perleberger Weg 33 40593 Duesseldorf Information: +49-171-6004033 E-Mail: proauto@gmx.de 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: 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.