Welcome to the Boards.. and the game, Luke
The game is very open-ended. Even the things that aren't open-ended are very deep. For instance, I have never researched all there is to research in any one game. Er... actually, there are several items I have never, ever researched!
PBW-
http://seiv.pbw.cc/text/ -our dedicated PBEM server is really quite good. Have a look at it. Joining a game is painless, creating a game almost as easy. But before you try playing against real people, become proficient at waxing the AI's hindquarters, then go to PBW and get humiliated.
Also check out the thread "Frequently Asked Questions for Newbies" stickied to the top of the board. It's more of a manual than a FAQ.
Good luck and happy gaming.