I dunno what everyone else thinks, but I like to launch 2-5 small mines over each planet when I play vs the AI.
Just to keep it honest -- when they decide to declare war, I want them to be at least a little inconvienced and lose a couple of engines on a light cruiser or two. While I get to keep my one mineral miner moon a little longer until a ship can defend it.
Since the A.I. can see weapon platforms (probably) There's really no point in building them any more
Edit:
Actually, I do know what everyone else thinks, mines around planets are unfair vs. the AI. And hundereds of mines at choke points seems to set up a pretty dull game vs humans. But hey, no one's going to win with mines. Well maybe, but anyone can see it's kinda a hollow victory.
[ August 08, 2002, 17:11: Message edited by: Arkcon ]