Multiplay questions and mods - new to the game

[kevo]

Hello.
I've been reading reviews about this game for awhile now, and this sounds like a game that surpasses even MOO and MOO2.
However, I am interested about multiplay. I read that it is all done thru email.
Is there a patch to make it playable thru TCP/IP, LAN?
Also under multiplay, can we play simultaneous (don't like wanting for someone else to take hours completing a turn).

Finally, I hear about all these mods? Any website addresses you can give me?

Thanks