My advice is to join a game that's already begun. All you have to make sure off is that you won't lose instantly.
The reason for this is that if you're new and start a game with (more) experienced players you'll make very bad first moves out off ignorance and it's hard to recover from those.
If you're already in a tight spot you'd be forced to make good decisions, good alliances and people will be quicker to help you, especially if you tell them it's your first game (which it in fact will be!

http://webdiplomacy.net/forum.php?viewthread=431997
the School of War thread

thanks!

Do you know the rules? If not, try reading a diplomacy rulebook, such as:

http://www.diplom.org/~diparch/resources/rulebooks/2000AH4th.pdf

If you see a game with the word Newbie in it's name you can expect only other newbies to join which should give you a better chance at a good game. Don't enter a game with a high pot, as that will mean more experienced players will join.

You could also enter a couple of Gunboat games (this means no messaging between players is allowed). Although you won't get the full Diplomacy game experience, you will learn how everything moves around before you join a normal game and you won't have people asking you about a Lepanto or a Sealion and expecting you to know what they mean. Also you could read forever here: http://www.diplomacyworld.net or here: http://www.diplom.org/index.py

I must disagree with Skittler, respectfully:

It's important to learn the negotiations, more so than just moving about... just enter a low-stakes game, or set up a newbies game.

Adn stay away from the likes of the mighty Ghostmaker or Rait or the conroversial Sicarius. ;)

Good luck!

Gunboat, or any other variant for that matter, are a bad idea if you're just starting. Not only because you need to see how negotiations go, but because you simply need to be able to ask questions in-game:
1. Join new games - cheap (5-25 ) and with medium-timed phases (24-28h)
2. If there're some more experienced players that might be good actually
3. Talk with everyone else in the game. Tell them you're a newbie, and ask them what they would advice you to do. Organize polls if you wish - just get the others to talk to you and elaborate ideas and plans.
4. Read the rules. After you've played a couple of games read them again. Half of the people here don't know them, and it's a very simple game, the rules are short :)
5. The basic approach to carry you forward should be "I have to play as if I were the president of X, in the interest of my people, not take it personal".
6. The basic approach to make it fun should be "don't cheat and find your balance between personal integrity and desire to win". Some people are not meant for this game - you have to be badass but not really an ass :)

I also disagree with Skittler about Gunboat, BUT …

Skittler is very much correct about those websites. If you're the kind of person that can learn something by reading about it (even if you have to put it in practice afterwards, because that's what you're going to do), then you can read all about it there.

If you don't mind a minor hijack, I was thinking of asking something in the same vain.

I'm planning on starting a dip club at college, once I start. There are no doubt going to be many noobs, so I was wondering the best way to introduce/teach the game?

Just get them around a board and explain the mechanics of the game. They'll learn soon enough once you get them playing. You may even note some strategical areas, as the Channel, Burgundy, Galicia and the Black Sea to them to get them diploming. This is how I tought my friends and they are getting better and and better. Brace yourself for some conservative play tho.

Once they've been introduced you can direct them to some online sources, such as Richard Sharp's book, the instructional videos from Edi Birsan on youtube and the Poutch.

Hm, that sounds really good. What about best/worst countries to play? Or should I go with random off-the-bat?

Yes. Random off-the-bat is better.

The moment you start telling people there are best/worst countries they'll be put off. Keeping telling them that at the top every country can win.

Alright, I was thinking that it might be better to play certain countries (i.e. England) so that they can learn certain rules better. (i.e. convoying).

Don't forget about unique disadvantages each country has(i.e Germany borders many potential enemies)

Borders, schmorders!

You see potential enemies, I see future conquests!

That's right. You can play conservatively, agressively, etc. You make and break alliances to get more conquered lands under your control until you have 18 supply centers or you get your ass kicked.

I never play conservatively. I don't see the point in it. Hopefully, the newbies I introduce will play the same way. More fun when there's a war going on, right?

Best way to join a new game is to find one that I am in and then let me tell you what moves to make for the whole game =)

@Jacob Yes: wait until Jacob thinks your completely his puppet and you understand what he wants you to do, and then stab him hard!