Thx, I think i'll try it

Note that even though you can't send messages, you can still work out a semi-alliance with another country. Attacking a common foe, ordering your units to support hold or support move their units, even if it fails, and just using educated guesses goes a long way.

Also, make sure to look at the big map by clicking the button beneath the small map. The big map shows failed supports that the small map doesn't show. This allows you to see who is trying to help who with broken support orders.

Another option is to use the text order logs, there's a link to them at the bottom of the page

Other variants: This site supports two maps currently - traditional and world map.
Others are going to be introduced soon, although I'm not 100% sure which (there was/is a vote on it though).
Most common variants played though are Gunboat and Public Press. Each of these involves limiting the press to none or global-chat only respectively.
Others are played, such as team games or Touch (were you can only talk to those you directly border) but these are on honour rules as they are not supported within the code.

Touch sounds awesome. I've never heard of that one before.

So why is it called gunboat anyway, I've always wondered lol.

gunboat diplomacy would be something Kennedy did with the Russians during the Cuban Missile Crisis. They didn't talk, but tried to communicate with their moves.

Ok, I looked it up, and thought that was where it came from. But, apparently, I am wrong.

Huh. Touch diplomacy must be very lonely for England. =]

Thucydides, do you mean why is no-press diplomacy called gunboat? Or why is "the pursuit of foreign policy objectives with the aid of conspicuous displays of military power — implying or constituting a direct threat of warfare" called gunboat diplomacy?

For the later, I imagine because military ships have big guns so are handy for threatening other countries with.

Yeah. "Gunboat" diplomacy really had to do with the European nations using their vastly superior fleets to maintain political standings overseas.

Yep, Gunboat came from the British. I believe the first real example was when taking Hong Kong, because having fought back the Chinese the British left some of their powerful warships there as a warning to the Chinese that they shouldn't try and retake their land. It was a very effective way of controlling an empire!

My understanding is that the reason no press is called gunboat is that with such a military presence there is no need for a diplomat: your actions speak louder than words.