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Triumvir (1193 D)
30 Nov 10 UTC
Four more for 1 day PPSC
http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=42903

Classic, 25p buy in, anonymous players, full messaging, 1day/phase, PPSC
1 reply
Open
SpeakerToAliens (147 D(S))
30 Nov 10 UTC
Mods:This message popped up in 2 different games. Could you explain it please?
GameMaster: This user was banned: Auto. The time until the next phase has been extended from <span class="timeremaining" unixtime="1291134214" unixtimefrom="1290900263">2 days, 17 hours</span> to <span class="timeremaining" unixtime="1291159463" unixtimefrom="1290900263">3 days</span> (one full phase) so you can...
3 replies
Open
sean (3490 D(B))
30 Nov 10 UTC
Holiday Book advice, I need a good Ancient History overview
Exactly what the title says, I aways finish fiction books too quick while lounging poolside in the holidays, What I would like is a big history book, Id like to expand my knowledge of the ancient world, the persians,greeks,chinese and so on up to the mongols, maybe 3000bc to 1300ad or so. Could it all be contained in one glorious book? any advice?
Putin33 (111 D)
30 Nov 10 UTC
Chester Starr has a 750 page volume on the subject.
Putin33 (111 D)
30 Nov 10 UTC
Although really Rostovtzeff is better in general, but you're looking for one book.
Thucydides (864 D(B))
30 Nov 10 UTC
History of the Ancient World by Susan Wise Bauer.

I think it covers mostly the west and stops at the fall of Rome but for classical history its comprehensive.

For a short read, HG Wells' A Short History of the World is entertaining. Despite factual errors, the brevity really throws things into a different perspective.

Idk. There are lots. I'd recommend narrowing things slightly, but I'm sure you'll find something.
fiedler (1293 D)
30 Nov 10 UTC
that sounds like a terrible thing to do to yourself. what's wrong with a nice stack of titty mags?
Lord Alex (169 D)
30 Nov 10 UTC
If you want an interesting Chinese read, get Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Tom Bombadil (4023 D(G))
30 Nov 10 UTC
While not exactly about the ancient world, I thought that Guns Germs and Steel, by Jared Diamond was marvelous. It provides an interesting perspective about the success of civilizations and why history unfolded the way it did.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
30 Nov 10 UTC
Asimov's Chronology of the World. It runs from circa 15,000,000,000 BC to 1950 AD.
Ruisdael (1529 D)
30 Nov 10 UTC
Guns, Germs and Steel is a must-read for lovers of knowledge. It's an awesome theory and gets not-boring after the first few pages of common sense. It'll give you lots of ammunition if you ever are forced into conversation with a racist.

I'd skip the survey course though. If you want to read something that'll help you on here go for Caesar (Gallic Wars were my favorite) or Sun Tzu's Art of War. It's not cheery poolside reading, but Mein Kampf is also a fascinating read.
The Prince would be a wonderful read for Diplomacy as well, to tack on to Ruisdael's suggestions. It's more a political theory than historical read, though, so probably not what you're looking for.
sean (3490 D(B))
30 Nov 10 UTC
Guns, germs and steel was a great book, Id think you would be hard pressed to find many on this site who havent read it(but that could be wishful thinking).
thanks thucy, ill have a look at susan wise's book. dont really want to get bogged down in a political manifesto for my pool reading so ill give the prince a miss
Hirsute (161 D)
30 Nov 10 UTC
The Middle Sea: A History of the Mediterranean by John Julius Norwich. One of the best books I've ever read, and I read mostly fiction (and find the same problem as you that I finish them too quick). It doesn't cover northern Europe much or Asia at all, but it's still really worth a read.
Hirsute (161 D)
30 Nov 10 UTC
Oh, I should note it covers from about 20,000 BC to the beginning of WWI
sean (3490 D(B))
30 Nov 10 UTC
ah, that Middle Sea looks good, and the paper back is available from amazon for about 13$ bonus, thanks Hisute
Thucy, the only susan wise ones I found were for jr high school kids.
Thucydides (864 D(B))
30 Nov 10 UTC
hmmm.. let me look for you hang on:

here it is:

http://www.amazon.com/History-Ancient-World-Earliest-Accounts/dp/039305974X

is this what you saw? lol i promise its not for jr high school kids
Draugnar (0 DX)
30 Nov 10 UTC
You may rip through most fiction, but if you would like to try something different, I suggest the Signet publication of the English tranlastion of Les Miserables. 1450 pages long. I don't care how much you rip through fiction, this will keep you busy for a while.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
30 Nov 10 UTC
Or War and Peace. And absolutely brilliant book.
Hirsute (161 D)
30 Nov 10 UTC
@sean: reading that you get a really good idea for the deeper reasons behind world war one, which I think is appropriate for this particular website
Draugnar (0 DX)
30 Nov 10 UTC
Also, you could pack the entire LotR trilogy plus the Hobbit and the Silmarillian (they make a single volume version) and that shouldkeep you reading for a couple of weeks. And make it a point to learn how to read and speak Quenyan and Sindarin.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
30 Nov 10 UTC
I wouldn't wish the Silmarillian on anyone. I tried it once and it was a disaster. The other four can be read in about 1-2 weeks. The Silmarillian takes like ten years.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
30 Nov 10 UTC
But, since we're now suggesting any books, why not the Dune series?
Draugnar (0 DX)
30 Nov 10 UTC
LOL. Yeah, I'm still working on it. It's worse than reading Numbers from the OT at times.
Thucydides (864 D(B))
30 Nov 10 UTC
Actually you know what... i dunno if i'd even read the bauer book. a friend gave it to me and said he liked it... but doing some research... i dunno.

hg wells' is great though. its short, but i think you should read it. its good *because* its short, you know?
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
30 Nov 10 UTC
"It's worse than reading Numbers from the OT at times."

lol This is the best endorsement ever.
Draugnar (0 DX)
30 Nov 10 UTC
I was trying to get him all-in-one series. I don't recall a publication that has all of the original Frank Herbert Dune novels in one volume, but they'd be a good long read if you can find it.

Also, buy a copy of The Complete Sherlock Holmes or The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Finally, Charles Dicken's Bleak House is rather lengthy but a very enjoyable read.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
30 Nov 10 UTC
Neither have I, but, come on! This is the future! If you aren't using an eReader, you're doing it wrong.
Triumvir (1193 D)
30 Nov 10 UTC
@abgemacht and Draugnar - Come on. The Silmarillion isn't that bad. It actually casts the rest of Tolkien's books in a very interesting light. Quite enjoyable.
Draugnar (0 DX)
30 Nov 10 UTC
I also have a complete Edgar Allan Poe and Complete H.G. Wells volume that will fill your days by the pool.

P.S. I'll be lounging fireside with a brandied or curacaod hot chocolate between ski runs. But I am jealous of the poolside at Christmas, somewhat.
Draugnar (0 DX)
30 Nov 10 UTC
@abgemacht - I'm trying to decide between the kindle and the nook for Christmas. any recommendations one way or the other?
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
30 Nov 10 UTC
Yes, a very strong recommendation, actually.

The Nook is utter garbage. The Original Nook is heavy, large and has an LCD screen at the bottom that serves no purpose other than reducing battery life. The Nook Color is not an eReader, it is an Android tablet stripped of all functionality. It has an LCD screen, not eInk, so if computer monitors bother your eyes, so will this. And yet, it isn't a full Tablet (like the Samsung Tab), because it's been locked down.

The Kindle is a very good choice and what I recommend to everyone. I used to recommend the Sony PRS, but I haven't been too impressed with their newer models. Kindle has the added advantage of having apps on iPhone and Android, so if you happen to leave your Kindle at home, you can pick up reading on your phone.

So, I highly recommend the Kindle and highly disrecommend the Nook.
Draugnar (0 DX)
30 Nov 10 UTC
I do have to say, though, that I love the feel of a really old hardcover (before dust jackets) in my hands for the older stuff. I have a revised first edition (after Wallace's wife died) of Ben Hur and a 1861 edition of Swift's Gulliver's Travels that are a joy to hold and read, but with great care so the pages don't crack.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
30 Nov 10 UTC
Honestly, I love reading, but I've *always* hated books. I hate carrying books. I hate turning pages. I hate holding books with two hands. I hate only having one book at a time.

One of the best days ever was when I first got my eReader. I completely rediscovered my love of reading.
Draugnar (0 DX)
30 Nov 10 UTC
I've been leaning towards the Kindle as I have the Kindle app on my Blackberry as well, but trying to read on a Curve II's screen is tough. If I had a Storm or one of the other BBs it would probably be better. I've also thought about just getting a tablet PC, but I like the Kindle's $190 price tag that includes 3G for life as well as WiFi.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
30 Nov 10 UTC
You have a steady income, so this probably isn't an issue for you, but I say save a few bucks and get the wifi one. If you think about it, you don't need to load books very often and WiFi is pretty ubiquitous these days. But, either one, it's far superior than the nook.
Draugnar (0 DX)
30 Nov 10 UTC
I just know that I'd occassionally get the desire to read something I've never read and be out where there was no WiFi (like by the pool in the summer). But if I upgrade to the HTC EVO on Sprint's 4G network, it can be setup as a WiFi hotspot which would give me the access I need. Something to think about...
Babak (26982 D(B))
30 Nov 10 UTC
I'm actually reading a great historical fiction tome by Gore Vidal - "Creation" I'd highly recommend it. It goes through Chinese, Indian, Persian, and Greek history up to around 500BC... and it does it in a readable and insightful way.

but it is fiction. very good fiction that will make for great holiday reading.
Triumvir (1193 D)
30 Nov 10 UTC
I've enjoyed "The Classical World: An Epic History from Homer to Hadrian" by Robin Lane Fox. It doesn't take you all the way to the Mongols, but it does a very thorough job not only of discussing the historical events of the period in question, but also the ways that thought patterns changed from one period to the next. Pretty good stuff.

I'll also support the suggestion of reading Caesar's commentaries and/or Sun Tzu.
abgemacht (1076 D(G))
30 Nov 10 UTC
@Draug,

But, at the same time, it's nice to sometimes not have access. It gives you a chance to say, "Wait, do I *really* need this?" That's something that's getting harder and harder to do.
Thucydides (864 D(B))
30 Nov 10 UTC
i dont know if ill ever be able to get into an ereader

for one thing, all the digital rights nonsense scares me off, even if it is just potential for nonsense. you know what youre getting with a book, you can lend it to people, tear pages out, write in it, or none of the above.

also i like to hold my fingers in the pages while i read and i also like to be able to see the thickness.

so i dunno if ill ever give up regular books. paperbacks = way better imo also

nothing quite so good as i nice neat thin little paperback. you just read that little motherfucker and then put it down. feels pretty damn good.

idk. maybe ill feel different in 30 years
Avenor (287 D)
30 Nov 10 UTC
I would recommend Herodotus, if you haven't read it yet. It only covers a few years, but it's a pretty big book and a fantastic read. It actually reads a lot like fiction because of the countless little stories that he picked up everywhere you could go in the 5th century BC.
I'd recommend the Robert Strassler edition because of the maps.

It's not what you asked for but it's a must-read.


39 replies
Bob Genghiskhan (1258 D)
24 Nov 10 UTC
"We gotta stand with our North Korean allies."
http://www.mediaite.com/uncategorized/sarah-palin-confuses-whos-on-our-side-in-northsouth-korea/

Sarah Palin, the gift that keeps on giving.
61 replies
Open
Thucydides (864 D(B))
30 Nov 10 UTC
Anyone use jdip on a mac?
Trying to figure out how to run it... I think I have java.. I don't know what's wrong all I get is a blank screen. I'm anything but an IT guy, so help is appreciated
22 replies
Open
fortknox (2059 D)
30 Nov 10 UTC
Auto-Pause option for NMR
Thoughts on a _pre-game option_ for the system to automatically pause a game if someone NMR's.
11 replies
Open
Fasces349 (0 DX)
29 Nov 10 UTC
Olidip.net
I am no longer able to log in, does anyone know why (I have tried 7 different computers across 4 different wifi channels with both mine, and my brothers account. So its not a problem with me) The main question is when will it be back up?
15 replies
Open
Daiichi (100 D)
29 Nov 10 UTC
Not all players bet the same amount
Why not all the players bet always the same amount of points?
For example here http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=42145 Everyone bets 10 but russia (11) and austria (17). Why is this so?
9 replies
Open
BunnYHopS (497 D)
28 Nov 10 UTC
lets get rid of draws
there should be a game mode that is PPSC but no draws. i am sick of people going into games with the idea that there will be a 2-3 person draw from the start. the only way a draw in these game should be initiated is if there are no advancements from any side able an admin or whatever can assess the game and make sure it is actually draw, otherwise itd be cancelled
91 replies
Open
drano019 (1003 D)
23 Nov 10 UTC
olidip problem?
anyone else getting this message when they try to go to olidip?
32 replies
Open
Raffaello (361 D)
25 Nov 10 UTC
Italian Club - italiani leggete qui
I would like to see if it is possible to collect enough italian speaking people so that we can organize from time to time a PW protected game where only Italian is spoken.

La traduzione italiana segue:
6 replies
Open
mscott (384 D(G))
29 Nov 10 UTC
Eliminating a No-Show
Is there any way to eliminate a no-show from a game? We've started but have a player who never even logged in to the game. We can't draw or cancel without unanimous approval. How does one resolve this conundrum?
16 replies
Open
podium (498 D)
30 Nov 10 UTC
Answers
http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=39470.
Responded in global to your questions about passing on solo.
11 replies
Open
SunZi (1275 D)
29 Nov 10 UTC
has this ever happened to you?
I entered my orders and clicked save. It appeared that the orders were accepted; the 'save' button became greyed and the 'ready' button became enabled. However, when I clicked 'ready' none of my orders were accepted and the turn processed with all my units standing still :(
2 replies
Open
Bbrett93 (100 D)
30 Nov 10 UTC
Oli Dip, where are you?
Is anybody being redirected to a german T-mobile site when they try to get to Oli's site?
Or am I just fucked?
4 replies
Open
WilliamTC (532 D)
30 Nov 10 UTC
OliDip
Seems the webhoster is toaster again
0 replies
Open
Agent K (0 DX)
29 Nov 10 UTC
No more End of Game statements
Everyone loves talking about what you were thinking and how surprised you were by a player's move or a stab, but no one outside of your game gives a shit. The only exception is games with good players like the Mad Marx games who's commentary would actually help people get better
13 replies
Open
Triumvir (1193 D)
29 Nov 10 UTC
Game Commentaries, part 2
I went back to post on my previous thread but it was locked.
8 replies
Open
colibry (163 D)
27 Nov 10 UTC
Problem with Unread global messages
I have this mesages "Unread global messages" in te game Beginner's Meet 5.
11 replies
Open
SpeakerToAliens (147 D(S))
28 Nov 10 UTC
Player banned during an Anon game.
Was the players name "Auto" or was that a mistake caused by the game being anonymous? And should the code-like text <inside triangular brackets> be there or was that triggered by the same thing? I'm not complaining, I'm just asking.
3 replies
Open
youradhere (1345 D)
29 Nov 10 UTC
Ancient Med Game
I wouldn't usually post this on the forum, but it's been up for a week now...
Ancient Med game, PPSC, 90 D. Join or I'll do terrible but sexy things to all your female relatives.

http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=42495
2 replies
Open
Ernst_Brenner (743 D)
29 Nov 10 UTC
New rule idea
If five want to cancel (cause someone NMRs 3 of every 4 turns for example), it should be possible. Especially important for live games.
12 replies
Open
President Eden (2750 D)
20 Nov 10 UTC
Diplomatically Challenged League Finals Bracket
With the preliminary rounds finally resolved, we move on to the championship. Same rules as before: four games, anon, 25-hr phases, same point scoring system, points winner after four games is the champion.
11 replies
Open
ava2790 (232 D(S))
28 Nov 10 UTC
Get ready to pay the solar tax...
Cause some woman apparently owns the sun now...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1333776/Spanish-woman-Angeles-Duran-claims-owns-sun--plans-start-charging-ALL-users.html
10 replies
Open
Inspector Rex (0 DX)
29 Nov 10 UTC
worst play as France
That i've ever seen:
http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=42967#gamePanel
8 replies
Open
Lord Alex (169 D)
23 Nov 10 UTC
This should be an interesting match.
I'm just getting back in to Diplomacy as I haven't played for a while, and I thought I would start off with a global match.
Then I thought it might be even more interesting if it was a World Diplomacy global match.
12 replies
Open
woofers (100 D)
29 Nov 10 UTC
new player; help please
I just started on this and I need a little help...
I joined a match that was scheduled to start in an hour so I closed the screen and left the site, I get on now when it should be starting and I can't find out how to join it, if I look in my games the only ones in there are those that have yet to start... please help
7 replies
Open
Lando Calrissian (100 D(S))
28 Nov 10 UTC
Grey Cup
In about 1 hour the Grey Cup game will played to determine the 2010 Champion of the Canadian Football League. Any predictions?
2 replies
Open
☺ (1304 D)
27 Nov 10 UTC
Improper Civil Disorder Disbands
In autumn 1905 of gameID=42802, I believe disbands were improperly adjudicated. Russia was in civil disorder, and had a unit in St. Pete and in Black Sea, yet Black Sea was not disbanded - Sevastopol was.
13 replies
Open
Ernst_Brenner (743 D)
28 Nov 10 UTC
Reliability rating?
How about including some sort of reliability rating for players, so that a game's creation criteria could include a way to prevent frequent NMRers from playing?
9 replies
Open
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