@Big Mazy
You can do agreement making however you like.
I tend to do most diplo through email. I occasionally use the threads for broadcast messages or stuff that I want/don't mind being public.
Some people use Messenger or NetMeeting software to talk in real time.
Classical has just set up a thread for this. This seems like a good idea, although personally I have so much work on (always) that I'd hate to have to commit to a particular time for this.
I think the convention is that if you read stuff in the thread that you shouldn't know in the game because you haven't got contact with the tribe yet, then you don't act on it. A fine convention...
edit....
Settle two towns.
gps PTW_Beta_027a_2710bc.SAV