Sure, lurkers can play. But be warned that the game will take a while and if you want to post you’ll be tempted to sign up.
I’m a member of the Cat23 community wherein the tradition is person-adjudicated games. My experience with email judges is comme-ci comme-ca, in truth.
And I despise grey or black press. Say it, live it.
I’m in. This’ll be my first Diplomacy game with people I’ve never met.
I’m so tempted to play, but I’m soooo worried about having a Dip game sputter and die on the vine again. 
Is everyone coming into this realizing that it’s a GREAT game but it takes TIME to play?
Sorry if I’m sounding like a dick.
Check out my site at http://www.wooleysark.com/dip
I’ve NEVER had a game die on me. I am the terrible and feared God of GMs (winner 2002 GM of the Year, no less)
Play. Fight. Struggle. WIN!
Alright, I’m in. I guess I’m not too tough to convince, huh? The hallmark of a bad Dip player.
Plus, JC if you had drinks with Sid Meier years ago, you’ve still probably got tons of contact mojo.
Email sent.
I’m in - it’s been too long since I played.
Good enough, RT!
I need a few more. Who’s with me here? C’mon, people, sound off!
Shibb! Beat the bush for me!
I’ll send an email to every Doper I’ve ever played with.
Deal me in. I had an e-game a year or two back and it was OK, tho’ it would have been better IMO if there hadn’t been about four players in the game all willing to take it up the @$$ for Austria.
I’m playing Austria in one of JC’s games right now, and I have a jar of lube… where are these guys/gals when I need them?
I’m counting more than 7. Is there still room?
I’ve never played Diplomacy before, but I have heard of it. I’m intrigued, but I really don’t know what’s involved. I don’t mean the rules–I can read those for myself. I mean how long is a game expected to last? How often must I post? How often do I have to be available for negotiating and does it matter if I’m only on at certain times of day/night?
I’m very interested, but I do want to know what I’d be committing to.
If there’s room, I’m in. I haven’t played in years, but when I played, I did so obsessively.
I’m hoping for two boards so that’s 14 players. So a few more! Bring 'em!
As for what it entails it’s a matter of what you put in that counts. Turns will take several days usually so there will be little time pressure to get moves in. Negotiating will be via email and you can do as much or as little as you like.
I have seen games last several months. In the case of one very indulgent variant up to two years (but we’re not trying anything that ambitious here!).
Our new, ambitious five-year plan… 
Do we start as soon as we have two boards filled?
OK, then.
I currently have 12 players confirmed and interest in the tournament from these unconfirmed (or those with no email address available to me to confirm):
Larry Borgia
Omniscient
Bill the Cat
First two of those who email me (or any other interested parties who do) get the last two slots and then we’re off to the races. Stab stab stab.
Assignments of countries and which boards you’re on will be random. I’ll be available to answer rules questions for players old and new. But I won’t be answering strategy questions. That’s all up to you guys.
I recommend you check out www.diplom.org for all the info you might need and a PDF version of the rulebook.
Right, Omni just confirmed.
That means there’s ONE MORE OPEN SLOT in the 2005-2006 SDMB Diplomacy tournament of champions!
Who’s got the courage and underhandedness to get in on the game?
Dude, when’s the adjudication for Vanilla?
C’mon people! I’m itching for world domination here!