- Quick specs
- Price: Free to try (30-day trial); $25.00 to buy (Buy it now)
- Operating system: Windows 95, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98
- Date added: October 12, 2004
- Total Downloads: 472,395
- Downloads last week: 212
- See full specifications
A newer version of Talisman Desktop is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 23 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
Unlike Windows XP themes, Talisman Desktop lets you completely customize the Windows interface. Its power extends from adding new toolbars to designing a brand-new desktop with any combination of drop-down menus and panels. Talisman Desktop comes with several themes, which are more than enough for most users. You can switch among desktop designs with a few clicks of your mouse. The Talisman shell also can fully replace Explorer and doesn't slow down the system. However, we found the design process itself a bit tricky; even creating a simple toolbar was not straightforward. The editing interface, more a programming tool than WYSIWIG, is far from intuitive and takes a good while to master. However, we'd recommend Talisman Desktop to advanced users.Publisher's description
From Lighttek Software :Using Talisman, you can build any interface for your computer. Talisman hides the standard Windows Desktop. In the Talisman work space, you can place any number of buttons or pictures. These objects can have any form or dimension, and all can run external programs or internal shell commands. The number of forms (screens) can range from 1 to 1,000. Any screen object can be set to switch from one form to another. All settings and pictures are stored in a theme file. You can make many Talisman themes and use objects with links to go from one theme to another. You also can add HTML pages (with JavaScript, Flash movies, and VRML worlds) to the desktop and add sounds to events.
Version 2.8 features a redesigned interface, new keyboard control functions, and new objects and effects.
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User reviews of Talisman Desktop 2.8
- Average user rating: 4.1 stars out of 23 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 13 user reviewsSee all 13 user reviews
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2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: Talisman Desktop 2.8
Pros: Uses relatively small memory.So great design.The creators are both Great artists and programers.I rate this just below 5 stars.I think one can modify most of the stuff(like design yourself) as an added feature.
Cons: Only gud 4 30 days and Panda doesnt look cute in the tray(i know i can modify that but i didnt hav the tym).Ill buy it sometime...also theres something wrong with the shell mode (tray looks bit awkward when exploring with a browser)but thats ok...
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Talisman Desktop 2.8
Pros: After trying about everything there is (all of Stardock's programs, StyleXP, Windowsblinds, Aston, etc. etc.) I have found this one, to be the best program to use if you want to replace your explorer shell. At the moment it is running on a mere 8mbs of memory usage, just 8!
Everything is customizable on the desktop, and even some items can be customized on the fly, good for usage as a temporary notepad and such, and the dual screening was a breeze. It has even been able to replace my love for SmartBar XP, which was something I wouldn't let Aston take over.
And it's not just for guys, thought there are two desktops that feature half-naked women (one being Tomb Raider and the other an actual woman), the rest (and there are tons of them) tend to be either nature or abstract.
Cons: The cons, the scripting language may be a bit, daunting, at first. It is really easy to get then hang of it after a while though, especially with so many other themes that you can learn from if you want to create nifty stuff.
Big con though, plugins need to be written in an outside language and compiled with an outside engine. Even then, many good plugins have already been done.
Weird con though, the taskbar icon group seems a bit glitchy still, though it'll probably be fixed. The problem is that when you close an application from there you get a little error. Nothing major as the application still closes and nothign crashes, but you still get it.
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Talisman Desktop 2.8
"Great look and very flexible"
Pros: Generally easy to modify particularly when you find a theme you like (and there are many). There are also many menu, window, pop-up, etc. options along with some scripting. I'll probably pay the 25$ or so and keep using it...
Cons: Changing options seem to take a bit too long to update. Some taskbar items can be buggy (visually)
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Version: Talisman Desktop 2.8
Pros: Easy to use. Make more confortable the use of WXP.
Cons: I would like more themes
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Version: Talisman Desktop 2.8
"A great example of what the word "custom" is supposed to mean."
Pros: This program is absolutely great. I've tried for years to organize my desktop and arrange icons, folders and other items to make them easy to find. Talisman does it with a few clicks (i.e. installing it).
Cons: Though the area where one is to customize things is a little complex, I find it a necessary evil to truely have control over what is otherwise an archaic desktop. On the lighter side. Pre-made themes are ready for download so it's a mute issue.
- See all 13 user reviews Write review
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