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### Options Tab

The Options Tab allows you to configure aspects of the multiplayer matchmaking lobby. Options are set separately for each user name of Sierra Online. Other Multiplayer (LAN and Direct play) have a single set of options. Available options and their use are described below. Note that some options apply to both Sierra Online and Other Multiplayer; other options apply only to Sierra online or to Other Multiplayer.

#### Account Maintenance

You can maintain your Sierra Online account on the Sierra Online Options Tab. The right side allows you to update all account information except your login name. Note that you must enter your current password before you can query or update your account. Once you have entered your current password, you can select Query Account to retrieve your existing account information. You can then update your account information and select Update Account to change your account information.

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#### Advanced Network Options

The Choose Network Adapter and LAN Broadcast Port settings are advanced network settings. It is highly recommended you do not change these settings unless you are comfortable with your Internet set up and have a strong understanding of networking issues. All advanced network options are avaiable in the Advanced Network Options box, located in the lower left of the Options tab.

Choose Network Adapter is available on both the Sierra Online and Other Multiplayer Options Tabs. It will display a dialog that allows you to change the network adapter on your machine used for online play. This is only necessary if your machine has multiple network adapters.

LAN Broadcast Port is available only on the Other Multiplayer Options Tab. You can use it to specify the port used to broadcast LAN games. Changing this port is only necessary when the default port is conflicting with other applications on your LAN. Note that all users on the LAN need to use the same LAN broadcast port to see games.

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#### Checking Your Ability to Host Games

The Options Tab displays information about your ability to host games and lets you know if you are behind some types of Internet Security. The lower left of the Options Tab contains a box labeled Advanced Network Options which contains a read-only display of Local Address and Public Address. If these two fields do not match, some type of Internet security is present between your machine and the Internet.

If the TAC Icon is displayed next to Public Address, then you will most likely be unable to host games for Sierra Online or Direct Connection; other players on the Internet will be unable to connect to your machine.

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#### Common Options Summary

Option | Values | Description
--- | --- | ---
Default Tab | Quick Play Lobby Community LAN Direct Options Help | Determines tab display after logging in. Quick Play, Lobby, and Community are only available for Sierra Online; LAN and Direct are only available for Other Multiplayer.
Connection Speed | 28.8 kpbs 33.6 kpbs 56.6 kpbs 128 kpbs DLS/Cable T1+ | Specifies the speed of your Internet connection. Setting the speed faster than your connection will result in poor performance.
Show Banners | on off | Controls display of the banner at the bottom of screen.
Lobby Sound Effects | on off | Controls presence of UI sounds. This includes button clicks, error/warning sounds, and the welcome to Sierra Online Sound (played after you login).
Chat Sound Effects | on off | Controls presence of chat sounds. This includes whisper received, friend joined server, and friend left server.
Staging Sound Effects | on off | Controls presence of game tab sounds. This includes all players ready, invite to game received, ask to join received, and player joined game.
Lobby Music | on off | Controls presence of background music.
Show Warnings and Confirmations | on off | Controls display of warning and confirmation dialogs. It is recommended that you leave this option on unless you are comfortable with online gaming.
Show Games in Progress | on off | Controls whether games that are in progress (and unjoinable) are displayed in the Game Browser.
Choose Network Adapter | Button | This is an advanced network setting. Most users will not need to change it.
Local Address | Read Only | Displays the local IP address of your machine.
TAC Icon | Read Only | The TAC icon is displayed between the Local Address and Public Address fields and is only visible if there will be difficulty for you to host games.
Public Address | Read Only | Displays the public IP address of your machine.
Restore Defaults | Button | Pressing this button will restore all options on the current screen to their default values.
Reset Filters | Button | Pressing this button will reset all column filters on the Game Browser to their defaults.

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#### Sierra Online Options Summary

Option | Values | Description
--- | --- | ---
Filter Dirty Words | on off | Controls chat filtering for profanity and other offensive words. Note that no filter is perfect; creative users will still find ways around it.
Auto AFK | on off | Controls whether you will automatically be marked as Away From Keys (AFK) when you have performed no actions within the lobby for 5 minutes.
Anonymous to Friends | on off | Controls your visibility to any friends list. Enabling this option means you will always be marked as offline. Note that you are still visible in the various user lists.
Auto Ping Games | on off | Control available games query for latency immediately after you log in.
Account Query/Update |  | Use this area (multiple controls) to query and update your account information.

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#### Other Multiplayer Options Summary

Option | Values | Description
--- | --- | ---
Username | Drop Down List and Buttons | Selects your username for LAN and Direct Connection games. The default value is nnewbie which will be replaced when you define your first name. Use the Add button to create a new name. Use the Remove button to delete the currently selected name.
LAN Broadcast Port | Read Only Field and Button | This is an advanced network setting. Most users will not need to change it.

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