Near-rookie question: During combat, when I click on a magical item, say the spiffy Ring of Earth Control, and I want to summon that Earth Elemental, um, HOW do I DO it? Am I just being impatient and not waiting long enough for these wonder twin powers to activate or what? :-p
Thanks, group!

Yes, you are being too impatient. You have to wait for the summoning to be completed befor doing a diferent task, otherwise you cancel the previous one.

Well you can wait for the next two centuries, but it won't help you much. I suggest carefully reading each item's description first. If you do, you'll see that the ring only allows you to CHARM an earth elemental (plus some other stuff, since it's bugged), not actually summon one.

BUT if you want to use the charm earth elemental ability, on the main screen, to the left of your three quick item slots is a sort of backpack icon. If you click here you can access all of the abilities that you are given through your equiped items.

The problem is there aren't that many enemy earth elementals in the game to charm. A portal in the Underdark and the ones in the Tree of Life in Chap 7 are the only ones that come to mind. Better use for that ring is the AC bonus and the Stone to Flesh ability.

Thanks, all - but maybe I used a poor example with that EarthyRing. If I use a wand or something, I guess I really do have to wait longer, huh? i.e I find Nalia getting hammered while she stands there pointing a stick at the bad guys, waiting for a fireball or something!

It only takes a couple of seconds...
But wands are another thing altogether. You don't use them with the backpack icon like other items, but put them in the quick item slot and use from there.