[DirectorTsaarx]

A thought on being able to 'see' the enemy fleet before deciding on battle: as Barnacle Bill points out, in many circumstances you can already do this by looking at the fleet before you move your ships into that sector. HOWEVER, if your ship/fleet is moving under orders, and happens to run into an enemy fleet, there currently isn't a way to find out what's in that fleet. But there should be.

BTW - on the same topic, I kinda like the idea that you're forced into battle if you transit a warppoint into the middle of someone else's fleet. Fairly realistic; once you've warped through, it's too late to retreat...