Welcome to CFC, Lilyblack.
Allow me to explain. Shortly after the beginning of every calendar month, we create a new Civ2 game and save it before making any moves. The save is then posted in a new thread. (Sometimes there are special rules as well.) All those interested download this save and start playing. The games can be played in either the classic or Multiplayer gold edition but they are always played in the single player mode.
Sooner or later someone starts a thread which is about the progress of that game (we call that the spoiler thread). So for every game, there are 2 threads. The game thread where we talk about everything prior to making a move, deadlines, extensions, scores, ... and the spoiler thread where we write about how our game turned out, what our goals were and how we achieved them, snapshots of our status at key points in the game, ...
This way of playing allows you to compare your style and abilities against other players. It is much more fun than playing solo and, hands down, the best way to master the game. GOTMs 177 and 178 are active now. GOTM 179 will be posted before the end of the week.
Hope to see you there soon.