I have no interest in TCP/IP, so I can't help there.
For play-by-e-mail Simultaneous games, have you tried
Play-By-Web (link)? It automates the file handling, and you can set up a game to use a "No AI" mod that minimizes the effects of the AI ministers.
PBW also supports a Real-Time Client, as an alternative to TCP/IP.
capnq
PBW admin