When NetAcquire is started, a main window area is displayed. Within this window's area, a number of subwindows are used to display/perform game activities. All subwindows are contained entirely within the boundaries of the Main Window.
When first started, the NetAcquire window sizes itself to approximately 80% of the available screen area. The window can be maximized and/or resized as the user desires.
All program functions are executed using the selections available on the menu bar near the top of the window (directly below the title bar). These menu functions are disabled/enabled according to their validity of use in relation to a NetAcquire session. Most of the functions also can be executed directly from the keyboard using shortcut keys (holding down CTRL key and pressing a key).
File - General functions.
Options - displays the Options Window to set user preferences.
Quit - closes NetAcquire Window and unloads the program. This is the same as using the Close window button in the upper right corner.
Communications - related functions.
Test Connections - shows communication status and pings the host (when connected) or all connections (when hosting). A ping is a test function to see how long it takes the connection to respond.
Disconnect User - used to force a user to be disconnected from the game host. The host is prompted for the connection number of the user to be disconnected. Available only to the game host.
Reinitialize - Closes all communications and redisplays the Communication window.
Lobby - functions performed within the Lobby.
Show Users - provides the user with a list of users who are connected to the host.
Show Games - provides the user with a list of active games going on in the host.
Game - functions related to games.
Start New Game - starts a new game.
Start Game Play - Used by the game initiator after the desired players have joined the game. It starts the play for the game.
Join Game - used to join a game as a player. User is prompted for the game number and then put in the game's room. If the game is awaiting players and the player limit has not been reached, then the user is added as a player.
Watch Game - used to spectate a game in progress. User is prompted for the game number and then put in the game's room.
Show Game State - provides user with a summary of information about then game.
Leave Game - returns the user to the Lobby.
Test Mode - Turns on/off test mode. Test Mode is available only for game hosts. When turned on, all tile draws are handled by manual entry by the host. All users are warned when the test mode is changed. Also, users are warned when entering any game where a Test Mode tile has been drawn.
Windows - functions related to the sub-windows.
Current Windows - shows a list of all sub-windows currently open within NetAcquire. Is used to bring to the front a sub-window which may be hidden behind another one.
Open Price Summary Card - opens the Price Summary Card.
Resize Windows - automatically resizes and repositions all currently displayed sub-windows.
Help - help facility and other informational functions.
Tutorial - displays the Help facility starting at the Welcome topic.
Acquire Rules - displays the Help facility's copy of the rules to playing the Acquire board game.
Version Notes - displays the Version Notes topic in the Help facility.
About NetAcquire - displays the product information popup window for NetAcquire.
With the exception of the Help facility, all windows utilized by NetAcquire are displayed within the NetAcquire window's visual area as child windows.
The Help facility for NetAcquire works like any other application's. It can be displayed and used independently of NetAcquire. Hitting F1 anywhere within NetAcquire will display appropriate context-relevant Help topic.