It looks like the game has started since there are two moves prior to my joining the game. All I see below are votes" Pause Cancel and Draw". Below that is a list of countries and then the Archive of Orders, Maps and Messages. Where will the other drop down menus appear?

That means you took over an abandoned position during a phase in which you have no orders. If it is a classic game (7 players on europe) what phase and year is it (Fall 1901 Retreats for instance).

You may not have orders to enter in the current game phase. Most likely this is because the game is in a "retreats" or "builds" phase.

The Pause, Cancel, and Draw buttons are all functions related to gameplay. If you want to draw the game, simply vote Draw. If you are unhappy because you joined a game that was already in progress, you may vote Cancel.

The Pause button exists to use in conducting diplomacy with other players. It is a diplomatic tool and serves no other function in ongoing games.

"The Pause button exists to use in conducting diplomacy with other players. It is a diplomatic tool and serves no other function in ongoing games. "

Do *not* listen to that part of 2WL's post. The rest is fine, but Pause is *not* a diplomatic tool as the rules of the site (http://webdiplomacy.net/rules.php) make cery clear.

Thank You for your reply. This clears up a lot. The Game I took over is
Modern diplomacy-2 Autumn, 1994. How do I change my mistaken cancel and draw votes?

I double clicked on them and moved them back to where they were. I guess I figured it out.

Snowden, may i ask, are you a spy?

Well, the real Snowden is no 007. Bond would never betray his country that way.

The chapter when Snowden dies is the saddest part of Catch-22.

I find it is usually best to find a menu - either an old paper one that you have stuck in the drawer with the sandwich bags and coupons, or a lot of restaurants also put their menu's on line. Then, especially if others are with you that will be involved, you should probably discuss your order collectively -- will there be individual requirements? Or will there be sharing of resources?

After that, especially if you are unfamiliar with the order, or it will be a large order, it might be a good idea to jot yourself a few notes, just to make sure you don't forget something -- for example, I forgot the shrimp chips the other day; not a deal breaker, but I had a hankerin', you know?

Anyway, then make your call to place your order -- I recomment being in a quite room away from the group (no need for some smart-ass calling our things in the background to confuse the order-taker, especially if you are dealing with a foreigner still struggling with the language, such as you might find with a good Chinese establishment, and then make sure your order is verified if you are at all concerned. It's best to just give name and phone number and not pay over the phone...just too risky.

Alternately, a growing number of establishments have on-line ordering, which is very handy, especially if you will be ordering regularly and they can save "favorite" orders for when you return.

And...I think that about wraps it up. That covers the basics of ordering. I'm sure I missed a few nuances and tips and tricks.

Next time perhaps we'll talk about ordering in person, and discuss situational strategies, including: Ordering alone but want the waitress to think you are waiting for someone; ordering with your (especially elderly) parents, which includes slipping a "full tip" on the table after the parents have left some pittance "because the damn girl never brought me more coffee" (she left a pot on the table...sigh...); ordering on a first date when you are a cheap bastard but still want to impress your chick; and ordering in a foreign country when you don't speak the language.

OK then, thanks and we'll see you next time!

Why am I considered the evil bad Draught when I'm the one trying to help the noobs and you all are being smartasses? :-)

Smartass? I thought that was quite handy advice. As a fater of young teens, I know that making that first order over the phone can be a very intimidating task.

A fater of young teens? How do you faten them up?

fater, not faten...

So you're German. I thought you were a polack from the suburbs of Detroit.

Polack fer sure, maybe some German, French, English mutt blood from the other side.