Yeh i know, but multiplayer was so fun, hope they make a strange "WON emulator" before they release it on GOG

Will multiplayer work nativly, or do we have to use the EE Lobby Client?

Well, if the vista compatibility has gotten better.. I'll buy it :)

Running a direct game over the internet with a friend right now, it works gloriously! :D
EDIT: I'm running Vista 64-bit too btw.
EDIT2: In you have any problems it may help to configure your firewall to give the game access too, I did this before even trying to play, so I don't know if it's required. Also you may give the lobby client access, but I did not need to do this.
I'm also behind a router, but I have set up a DMZ. Check you router manual or manufacturers website for info on that. Not sure if it's required though as I did that earlier for another game.

Whenever I try to do a direct-connect game, I'm told my CD key is invalid >>

True, seems you have to use the patch inn the EE Lobby Client.

While I haven't checked out the EE Lobby Client, a lot of people are currently using GameRanger to play EE1 (5 games going at time of writing), because it solves their port-forwarding problems as well.

As an administrator at http://www.save-ee.com/ I'd like to invite any players, old or new, to the community. Over the summer I've taken over programming the Save-EE Lobby Client, which lists direct connect games being hosted by other users in the lobby.
If you need any help setting up your game or playing online, myself and some other staff members are a wealth of information. You can post on our forums or ask one of us in the lobby. I've also written a few guides on how to properly get EE and our lobby set up to play online, on top of an FAQ written by another administrator.
Our community contains the majority of the players that were on the original multiplayer servers, before they were shut down by Activision. We have everyone from noobs to experts. Most players are willing to offer training and other help. All I ask is that you don't get out of line in our server, since it is privately owned and operated.

Whats really f**ked is that they are selling a multiplayer game with the multiplayer servers shut down and you don't find out till after you buy it, real nice.
Not that it matters that much save-ee.com is a good if not better solution. The moderators are very helpful on both forum and lobby . Some may not agree with me on that, the ones that don't are mostly $hit starting players who start shit just to cry abuse all who which put nothing into help keeping this great game online.
Before the servers were shut down the old admins were so abusive it was crazy I mean you could get banned for no reason at all, atleast with save-ee you really gotta be a cheater/a$$hole to get banned and most bans are short unless you post porn in the lobby/forum.
I urge you all to learn this game you will fiend for the intensity of the game it is the best RTS to ever come out.
I hope to see you all in the save-ee lobby soon :)