Bump! I'd really like to see people take a crack at this

This is the main thing I have pre-prepared, which is from Wikipedia. Probably not exactly what is required but I think an example would be good to get some ideas rolling

"phpDiplomacy was started in December 2004 as an attempt to make Diplomacy more accessible to people who haven't played Diplomacy before as a board game. Orders are entered by choosing valid options from drop-down lists, instead of being entered in with text, and a points system is used to let players find people of their own skill level to play with.

Since it's open source it can be used to help create new web-diplomacy sites more easily, such as Facebook Diplomacy and PLAYdiplomacy."

There must be loads of people here who run blogs - come on people, lets get the word out there!

I have to admit, Kestas, this site was my introduction (and subsequent addiction) to diplomacy. I'll try to use this story to the publication above...

I'll have something written up by the end of the week.

I am actually in the process of producing an article about Ghost-rating.

This thread needs to be bumped up and stay fresh in peoples minds.

When I'm out at gaming and comic conventions I've neglected to mention anything about this site as I'm usually running around like a little kid having fun. Edi brings up a great point. In order for our community to grow it's up to all of us to promote it and tell people just how we feel about this site and the game we play.

Can I have an idea of word length, and what type of articles (i.e. description of site, walk through a particular game etc.)you want Edi? I'm keen to have a crack at this.

bump

bump!

Anybody know of a website that lists Diplomacy clubs or otherwise facilitates face-to-face games?

Email Edi. He's got the hook-ups.

Articles for The Pouch (www.Diplom.org write to [email protected]) are very oriented towards the big picture, strategy and tactics sort of things.
Articles here are normally between 2 and 4 pages. They include topics such as:
Making Alliances in the Text World of Emoticons
Advantages of PBeM gaming
The making of a community on the web
The Ranking Systems in phpDiplomacy: The theory of PPSC vs WTA
The structure of a PBeM tournament on phpDiplomacy what was learned and what was forgotten
Writing proposals in 1901
The theory of the never ending stalemate game
The review of stats: Drop outs in 1901 and CDS in PBeM
The playing of games with no Italy or Germany in PBeM

For Diplomacy World (www.DiplomacyWorld.net) the dealings are more with specific play vs player stuff, snaps shots of current games, current events so some articles may be
PBeM Game 1234 6 ways from the brink of disaster
Close Encounters of the 4th Kind: Dunderheads and Internet Stalkers
Tournament GDFT its creation, value, and update
The Rivalry in PBeM web sites: anatomy of conflict php vs playDiplomacy
The Herding of Cats: a programer's attempt to gather coders to support a web site
Dealing with minors in Play By e-Mail
Picking a nickname/handle. Views of anonymous play and play behind a mask
Cultural Differences as reflected in forums
Racism in Forums
Forums for building community spirit and tearing it apart
Common ground in different countries
Definitions of Metagaming in this web site
What is unethical
Cutting down on NMR's and Drops, what has been tried and learned

Articles on DW tend to be shorter and not as academic as on The Pouch.
However, both EDItors are always desperate for articles and have been known to print just about anything.

V+
if you or anyone wants local contacts and events you can contact me
EdiBirsan AT astound DOT net
There is also a Face to Face resource section on the Diplomatic Pouch
www.diplom.org that has upcoming events where the people have bothered to register them there. However, it is not complete.
The North American Diplomacy Federation is in a 2 month rework of its site but the DAANZ (Downunder) and European sites are updates for their FtF section.

i'm doing that all the time, but nobody wants to bother learning diplomacy?

I'll have a stab at one of these later (not necessarily today - maybe over the weekend), and post up (possibly) for critical views from the community.

Humpty Bumpty sat on a thread. Just keeping this alive so I don't forget. =)

Ditto.

I was thinking of doing something on the curiousities of PBEM compared to face to face. To do an abstract - the use of nicknames (sometimes promoting bad language as there is a relative lack of accountability), the occasional problem with multi-accounters, the inability to use body language as a hint/aid in gameplay (the poker face), the length of time between phases adding to the amount of negotiation, the lack of press and frequent backstabbing by lower pointed members (should I include this - not sure on this), the ability to play many games at once simultaneously, leading to more NMRs and CDs. I'm just realising this sounds all a bit negative. On the plus side, the GFDT, the Leagues (the issue of metagaming and it's relative legitmacy in the league system - tall poppy syndrome), the ability to form an online community with extremely interesting debates on the forum (thinking here of _______ insert some memorable threads - anyone?- my favourite was the discussion on Alexander the Great, and the regular history threads that come up), the ability to play with players from all over the globe.

It makes you think that it's very different from f-t-f - a completely different ball game.

I'll give it a go on Saturday. Knowing me, it could turn out to be a rather long essay! (I did specialise in this after all :s)

I know a whole group of people interested, but there's a slight problem: in my experience, this site isn't exactly the most n00b friendly. (New to the site, not the game). I get ignored everytime I post on the forums, and overall, it isn't the best site for interactions.

Sorry you feel that way onar. I try and post as many times as I can to say hello (*waves hello*) but there are so many threads, it's difficult to keep track. Generally, if a title interests me, I'll click on it, and ignore the rest unless I have time.

When you say you have a whole load of people interested, do you mean to play diplomacy, but you are reluctant to recommend them phpDip?

cg has a great question there Onar.

besides I wanted to bump this thread.

Well, in all honesty, I do have a few RL friends that play Diplomacy, but I don't know about recommending them to the site.

That's a real shame Onar. Why don't you want to recommend it - is there anything we could do to improve it?

send a hit squad to diplomats house

;]

Hm, well, I hear a lot of talk about people not liking it when people bring RL friends into the game.

That's not the point. You can and should invite your friends to play, just don't get into the same games as them to become inconditional allies and you will be fine.

Well, surely you can understand the sentiment. People are very wary, perhaps too wary, of multi accounters and metagamers.

You can absolutely bring your friends on, as long as you're not afraid to stab them as you would any other player on the site. =)

Exactly. The problem is when people bring friends on, but don't play diplomacy and make unbreakable alliances with their friends. Also, for each group of friends that are brought up on the forum, there are 20 that are happily playing along with the rest of the community.
Just as a thought, perhaps this is another reason it would be good to split the forum up into sections. If all new players see is a list of metagaming accusations they're much more likely to turn around and leave. (not saying you will Onar, I hope you'll stay, but your point reminded me)

My first game I was all set to have an unbreakable alliance but my friend stabbed me... So now hes not my friend anymore, and I'm a better player then him xD