DXport utility available
Leave it to anyone but Microsoft to fix Microsoft's crappy software. The good folks at PuffinSoft have made available the first version of their DXport utility, which allows you to use more than one PC behind a NAT/Firewall for games that use DirectPlay (of either DX7 or DX8 variety). I haven't used it yet, so can't personally vouch for it, but I'll definately keep it in my box of tricks as I certainly could've used just such a tool in the past.