I need advice....

[Starhawk]

Okay sorry for making a second topic and I hope it's not against the rules but this is different then the first.

As many of you know I sadly still only have the demo as I am hoping to get the full Version on Christmas....

Okay the thing I need your help with is a two part deal.

I usually manage to build only about 20 ships before the demo ends because I like using full technology a lot of times. Anyway I usually use a battlegroup style of arrangement and it usually goes like this:

1 or 2 Light cruiser designed only with supply bays
1 Cruiser with 2 repair bays
5 Combat Cruisers
4 Destroyers with point defence guns only (imcase I run into enemy fighter wings or more missiles then the cruiser PDTs can handle)

Is this a good composition for a battlegroup when I am first starting..because I often find that this battlegroup can overcome much larger fleets of pure warships but I've also seen them suffer other problems.
And if this is a good comp for the demo would it be for the early parts of the full game or what are it's failings?

Okay now the second part of the question.

I sent a battlefleet (about 2/3 of my full warfleet) and it was defeated in a battle against superior numbers (fortunately most of the enemy ships were crippled or destroyed so they weren't able to complete their invasion of my space). But I had drastic problems with populations getting all ticked off and I lost a great deal of resources when the fleet was destroyed.
Okay since most of my navy was destroyed I had nothing to do for the Last eight turns but i want to know:

1. Is it just a coincidence (sp?) that my people got so upset after the defeat or is it because of that battle?

2. What could I do to get the confidence of my people back up after such a dramatic loss and such heavy losses of ships and men.

3. How could I still defend my space properly with only 1/3 of my navy left, and how would you recommend rebuilding my fleet? For example what kinds of ships should I replace first and what should I do to protect my space in the meantime?

4. Since the bulk of their warfleet was crippled or destroyed was it really a defeat or more of a draw?

5. Would the computer follow through with the attack even with that damage in the full Version or would it do what the one in the demo do and fall back for a while to rebuild?