I logged in about 2200 EDT, and downloaded the new version.  Played for awhile, then at around 0100 WED, the game lost the host connection, and I get the "Unable to connect for version checking. Please check all firewall settings" message that other were complaining about.  Can't play the game atm.  Skuzzy's patch links don't work either.
**Resolved itself about 10 minutes later.**