You can switch between the two modes at any time. I think these terms speak for themselves. The only thing you have to specify is whether you want to run Talisman in application mode or in shell mode. It is all automated, no configuration necessary. Talisman is as easy to install as any other (regular) program. This file is manually editable as well, obviously. This is very important, since many themes feature buttons linking to these applications, and they look up the executables by looking at the Evars configuration file. You can run this utility afterwards at any time, for example when you install a new mp3-player. This utility will try to find your system’s default mailer, browser, mp3-player and so on. ![]() After this the Evars configuration is started. The installer lets you decide if you want to install the configuration utilities (such as the Evars configuration utility), if you want the creator’s standard theme installed (I would select yes, it is gorgeous!), if you wish to have a theme selector (I would say ‘yes’ to this one as well). With the arrival of the Installer that problem is in the past. You had to manually edit your system.ini file so it started LS as your shell, and not Explorer. Installing LS before the Installer distribution became available was kind of a hassle. Windows XP Professional/Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition.The following configuration has been used: The actual versions used were LiteStep Installer v2.1 (by Omar), and Talisman Desktop v2.6 (build 2601). But certain features are similar through all themes, such as the right-click menu, configuration menus, and so on. Ease of use: A difficult point, since every theme offers a different approach to how you use your desktop, so one theme is more usable than the other.I will not talk about the configuration here, since that is more something that belongs to point three. I will try to address (a) the quality of the themes, (b) the installation, and (c) their availability. Themes: One of the most important points, in my opinion.placing a wrong entry in the system.ini) and so on. Installation: Installing and applying your new shell should not be much of a hassle it should not damage your system (i.e.I think it is time for a comparison between these two major shell replacements for Windows.īefore starting with the actual comparison I would like to explain the criteria I used. And now I have been happily using Talisman for some months. I started doubting already.Īnyway, since I tend to experiment quite a lot on my computer, I bought Talisman and installed it, removing my LS. The screenshots in that magazine looked kind of nice. I kept on using LS, but I kept Talisman in the back of my head. It did the same LS did, but easier, or so the creators of Talisman stated. One day, in my favorite PC magazine, I found out about Talisman. I hoped it was, though, because I just did not want to put so much effort into Windows (hey, that’s where my Linux install comes in). I just could not believe this idea was being commercially exploited. This led me to believe that changing your standard shell in Windows was something obscure, for the more techy user (editing configuration files by hand always reminds of “some other OS”). ![]() rc files, easily editable with every notepad application. LS (LiteStep) was (and is, don’t worry) configured through. It was exactly what I had been looking for: not just a different label, but a whole new drink. No matter how many exotic themes I applied to my WindowBlinds, It still was not what I was looking for. Quite easily I discovered Stardocks WindowBlinds, followed by IconPackager, and other programs from their ObjectDesktop.īut still I was not satisfied. I just had to accomplish the same thing in Windows. I had this itchy feeling “Why can’t Windows do this?” Besides the occasional wallpaper-change and color-scheme alteration, it just lacked the advanced skinning features KDE (and the other window managers as well) provided. I could make my desktop look exactly the way I wanted it, icons, window borders, appearances and so on. ![]() I was astonished with the possibilities it provided. Some years ago I entered the world of KDE. What’s the use in this? Well, let’s not make a huge deal of it: Windows looks dull. Talisman Desktop 2.6 and LiteStep do exactly the same thing: they provide an alternative to the standard Windows Explorer shell. ![]() Advanced skinning, individualized desktops, animated icons, shiny colors and flashy windows: which alternative shell (for Windows) is the best?
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