Strategic Help for a trapped newbie

[GhengisRexx]

Ok. Here is tricky situation. I am involved in a 4 player pbem game with a ton of AIs.(21 turns so far) This is pretty much my first real game of SEIV. I have a race with a bonus in research and in trade. Unfortunately I am stuck between two black holes. I've got three solar systems to work with. All of the warp points in the black hole systems are unstable, and pretty much demolished the Frigates that found em.

All is not lost, however, I got REALLY lucky and got a second colonization type from some ruins. I know I'm in a double edged sword situation, and I want to make sure that I dont completely muck it up.

My current strategy is colonize ansd research. Tons of research. Pretty much every availble space is a research center.

My questions are:
Stellar Manipulation- What do I get at each level? |How far up do I need to go to open up, and/or fix warp points? Are any of the stellar manipulation weapons worth while? (Can you really get away with destroying someones suns?)

How big a ship will it take to survive the unstable warp point/ black hole/ unstable warp point combo?
(I am hoping to get a ship out to start trade)

Cloaking-How does one defend against it, and how does one get it?

Converting atmospheres- Is it worth it? What techs, and how many points of resarch do I need to get it?

Right now I have am almost up to applied research 3, and am about to go for gas giant coloniziation, to use every avaible planet in my 3 systems. Then alternate military with stellar manipulation techs.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
The Hive