[gregebowman]

And make sure to get the latest patch for the game. As far as I know, 1.84 is the most recent patch. That, plus the TDM mod, should make the game more emjoyable. I would still stick with the diplomacy, because if you get a treaty where they give you resources and research points, then you get those for free as long as you have good relations with that race. Doesn't hurt to have a mighty fleet, because a race never asks you why you're building up near his borders.