LogMeIn Hamachi is a virtual private network, great for creating a local network online. It can be used to play games such as Red Alert, Witch King, Minecraft, and many others - including Populous.

 

It will create a virtual network, meaning people in other countries can be playing Populous on LAN with you, if they join your network! After creating or joining a network with someone, it is like you are in LAN with the other players, and you can just open Populous and go to Multiplayer, creating or joining a room. Some people use this (or similar) programs, but its easier to simply join a matchmaker and play from there, with plenty of other players and levels!

 

Watch this hamachi tutorial if you want to use it: