I agree that is is annoying , but unfortunately there is currently no way to combat it really . The only way you can is look at the statistics of the user. That works only reliable in private games though. Also in the current GMR nothing will change anymore. All the development goes into the new GMR. Look in the group to that if you have ideas how to implement it.

I probably won't have the time to help much , but at least I'm willing to play a game here and there again - I just wont go back to the days I had (30+) Games .
If there is some small things to help out let me know.

Which DLC's do you have enabled?

The Webversion of GMR also works on Mac. So its no problem to play

Might also be a location issue are you guys from europe - as I had the issue lso from time to time , but lately its quite stable.

yes it happened from time to time - I guess in that case you do not have a local savegame - then you need to start teh game again .

And here you have a Linux Tester - plan to make the final switch fromWindows to Linux nex month - if everything goes right. But I'm not a developer either.

if you are the host its in the general settings for the game.

yes he will - and yes if all 3 go on vacation the same time - the AI would finish the game for you.

Best Solution: stop the timer and not enable vacation Mode for this game . Then continue when both are back.

Nice Idea but I see an issue that there are legitimate reasons to leave a game, e.g. you have lost and are eliminated. Civ still treats you as an AI with nothing to do, so GMR can't see that the player is elininated.
In this you surrender/quit and would be penalized for it.