The Preferences dialog controls how you interact with the game environment and allows you to define your “network persona.” This dialog does not control how the game is played (Rules Dialog), nor with which players you will play (Puppets Dialog).
When checked, the game window is set against a plain black background. If possible, your screen is also resized to 800x600 resolution. If you change the resolution with the desktop hidden, that new resolution will be used the next time the game starts up.
When checked, messages such as “Your Lead” will be displayed at the bottom of the game window in solo games.
When checked, you must click the mouse to begin the next trick. This allows you more time to review the cards played.
When checked, a scoreboard will appear at the end of each hand to remind you of the score. Note: You can check the score at any time by clicking the scorepad in the lower left of the card table.
Use the slide control to determine how quickly the cards are dealt and the length of the pause between tricks.
When checked, the Score Pad window is cleared each time you begin a new game. If unchecked, the scores from previous games remain available for review.
When checked, the Score Pad window will fade to become partially transparent a few seconds after it is opened. It will become solid again when the mouse is moved over the Score Pad window. This option is useful in maximizing your screen real estate when playing network games with the GameSmith window open. This option is only available on Mac OS X 10.2 or later.
This option controls whether or not transparency is only used in network games or if it is also used in solo games.
Determines how transparent the Score Pad window can be.
When checked, a short sound bite is played when the game is first started up.
When checked, sound effects such as the shuffling of cards will be used. This preference also controls whether or not sound effects are used when playing network games.
When checked, a tiny "blup!" noise is played whenever a talk bubble appears on screen. In solo games, talk bubbles will only appear if you have talking puppets turned off.
When checked, you can speak a cards name and it will be played. For example, saying “Four of Hearts” will cause the game to play as if you had clicked the four of Hearts.
NOTE: You must have a Macintosh with Apple Speech Recognition version 1.5 or later installed, as well as a working microphone, to use Speech Recognition.
When checked, players will “talk” to you. Not only will they speak their bid, but they’ll also let you know what they think of your skills! You can choose whether to have Terse or Talkative puppets. Terse puppets speak just the minimum amount necessary. Talkative puppets banter more freely.
Enter the name by which you will be identified in network games.
Lets you set a three-character abbreviation of your name for use within the game where space is limited, such as on the scorepad.
Lets you set your gender. This controls which sound effects other players hear for your iPuppet (male or female).
This is the plug-in, or “puppet,” that represents your character to other network players. If you change this in the middle of a network game, the other net players will immediately see the change.
If you are using iPuppets, the currently selected picture will appear in the Puppet Box in the lower right. Clicking the Clear button will clear the picture in storage.
When checked, you will be asked if you want to see the rules in use whenever you join a game. This can be useful when playing with an unfamilar host. Of course, even if this option is turned off, you can view the rules at any time by opening the Rules dialog (in the Game menu).
When checked, the GameSmith window will auto-hide when you join or host a new network game.
When checked, if the Host changes locations and you have the new location, then your location will switch. If unchecked, you will always play in the room you prefer.
If you uncheck this, you will not see other players’ custom puppets, including iPuppets and CE Puppets.
All incoming chat will be displayed in cartoon-like talk bubbles appearing by each character’s head.
Determines how long a talk bubble will stay visible before automatically vanishing.
Determines whether or not the Score Pad shows the current points taken for any given hand. This makes it easier to track the points.
Determines whether or not the Score Pad shows the current game points taken for any given hand, that is the sum of the various point cards. This makes it easier to track the points.