Newbie strategy help

[Gzian]

Even playing on Easy mode, I keep dying to the pirates even when I am in my home sector, terran. Running does't work, and fighting two at a time,with my beginner ship,even slightly upgraded, doesn't do the trick. How are you all surviving?

[Wdll]

I only have the demo of the game. So...what I do is sell all weapons. Get a Phalanx (sorry don't remember the right word) to defend my ship against enemy missiles and fighters, and get the fastest engines I can find. I don't fight the enemies. I outrun them. :-)