The "SE4 Dubious Strategy Guide" is an edited compilation of threads from the forum. It is a "work in progress". It's written for people in your situation.
Link to the first 'Modding Tools and Help/Info' Archive page:
http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/For...ML/000019.html and go to the oldest page (ignore posted date).
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"All sources are dubious until their reliabilty has been repeatedly proven. Even then their information should be independently verified." - The unwritten "spooks handbook"