Welcome. Check out Dubious' Strategy Guide from the Mod/Scenario Forum
http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/For...ML/000019.html
It contains a huge summary of helpful Posts, hints, strategy...
For the TechTree: you can enable the "Players can see complete Techtree" in GameSetup (but just before you start a new game, you can't set it in a current game), with this one enabled, you'll find an extra button in the research window.
[This message has been edited by PsychoTechFreak (edited 20 April 2001).]