Hello, and welcome to the 2004 Spring Movement issue of The Diplomatic Pouch Zine. What!?! The Pouch Zine? Yes, we are back, and in honor of never NMR'ing for a movement phase, this edition is the Spring Movement. This issue is also the first to have the unique feel of two editors. This will hopefully allow us to continue this great project in a more timely fashion.

So, great, you now have a monkey who, once given some food will hit random keys hoping some form of intelligent thought comes out of him. First; a bit about this monkey, I like bananas, but with peanut butter, and no skins. I have also been stabbed and have stabbed people repeatedly for the last 13 years or so. And have enjoyed everything that this hobby has given me. With great awe I used all the resources that people have created to make this hobby what it is today. A great global community that reaches right around this world of ours. I thought that it was time to give back, and the fact that winter is fast approaching in Ontario and I will have months and months of hibernation and will therefore be able to dedicate the time and energy needed for this endeavor helps too.

We also have another monkey who has been given food in return for his tricks doing most of the editing. With his large vocabulary of "oooh" and "eeeeh," this Pouch will be grammar-free in no time. His best trick is using a fountain pen with his tail. Just don't get too close to the bars, he likes to shoot ink at spectators. Second Monkey's note: I don't like bananas, but but a hot cup of coffee to keep me stimulated would be nice...

Now that you know a little bit about the monkeys, please feel free to drop them some scraps...letters, articles, peanut butter, articles...and did I mention articles? When I started this hobby, I was in awe of these people who had this vast knowledge about the game and would get articles published, and I thought "wow, I could never do that." Now, I'm a co-editor! What I am saying is that even if you are playing in your first game, write an article. I would especially love if newcomers to the game would submit an article on how it was to play in their first game.

Second Monkey's note: I only started playing Diplomacy recently, but got hooked on it right away. When I saw that The Pouch, my favorite place to go for a little light Dip reading, hadn't gotten an issue out for quite some time, I contacted Manus (through some kind soul whose name escapes me at the moment), and asked if I could be of service. Manus tearfully told me that The Zine had been editorless since Edward Hawthorne's departure, and that he himself was unable to return to the Zine editor job since he was so busy in the DPjudge section of The Pouch. The happy news, though, was that I was not the only concerned guy out there. Manus said he already had this "Scott" guy on the job, but that he was sure Scott would love an extra hand. I got in touch with the First Monkey, found out that he had what I didn't (computer skills), and I had what he didn't (extra time to edit), and we paired up. And in the next many articles, you will find the fruits of our programming and editing labors, as well as the hard work of many Diplomatic authors. Thanks to all those who submitted articles, hope you enjoy this issue of The Pouch.

Well, now that I have the obligatory whining for articles out of the way, sit back and enjoy. We have a great line-up for you all starting with David Cohen's third article on the Maharajah variant. He shows very good insight into what goes into making a viable variant. Actually we have three variant articles this time, with one focusing on how the variant has been improved on the nJudges. Before the DPjudge, the only option was to play (with a computer moderator) on the nJudges, where I got my start. Sergio shows that those judges are still the core of online diplomacy and enlightens us with the enhancements to that system with regard to the Machiavelli variant.

Sherlock Holmes is back again with his solution to another of the Sultan's notes. Not to be outdone, our very own co-editor Randy Lawrence dips his quill to ink and pens a fine article about Balkan negotiations. And with "Peloponnesian Wars," another variant takes us through the paces, using India as the basis for this variant. My favorite article is from Mr. Tomlinson -- "Those Who Can, Teach" -- as he treats us to a wonderful concept to help new people in our community. We also have a little treat: Eva has thrown together some "lost" Beatles songs that they wrote while they were playing Dip.

One last thing. Alain Tésio is a name a lot of you might not know. But he is responsible for floc.net and creating the automatic maps that we have all come to rely on. For those of us who remember having that real board sitting at home, or those pieces of paper laying around with lines all over the place, we thank you. For those who are new to this and get the see the benefits instantly, it's good to take a step back once in a while and go, "Wow, look at all the things Alain and others have done and shared with us, just because they love The Game.

It was with a heavy heart that the hobby received word of Buz Eddy's intention to retire his post as leader of the North American Diplomacy Federation so that he can spend more time with his family. Buz's steady leadership will be missed not only on the North American continent but worldwide. We at The Pouch express the thoughts of the entire Diplomacy world when we thank Buz for his tremendous contributions to grow, strengthen, and further the state of the Diplomacy hobby in North America. The DP Council stands ready to support the incoming NADF leadership in attempting to fill the large shoes that Buz is stepping out of, and we intend to dedicate the next issue of The Pouch 'Zine to Buz Eddy, founder and now past president of the NADF.