strategies

Here are a few hints (not a walkthrough, just a few tiny tips...)

Most important picks (MIP): Diplomacy, Planet Quality, Morale

Colonize as much good planets as you can (race for the good planets...)

Colonize only planets with PQ 15 or better

Dont' build improvements with upkeep more than 2

Try to get the "Diplomatic Translators" tradegood at all costs

Trade techs (except Diplomacy techs...)

Don't ally except you can achieve a very fast alliance
victory

Build starbases

Don't waste money on expensive ships (except you plan to wage war). Once you researched Dreadnought, build so much AMMs that that your military rating is at least equal to the strongest AI.

Visit the Core:http://www.diplomats-empire.com/forum/portal.php
where you can meet some of the most famous GalCivers around.

[Message Edited]

A few more tips:

Max out your spend rate and dump it all into military production at the start, as you will need to shove out those colony ships.

Once trade becomes available, start making Freighters and trade routes. If you're planning on going for an Alliance win, trade with the other major civs. If you want some other kind of victory, trade with the minor civs.

You can somewhat discount taking Research, Moral, Attack/Defense, Economy, and Influence bonuses, since all those are available as galactic resources- one fully developed resource is a +68% bonus, or about three and a half times the typical starting bonus. The downside is that you'll have to wait for the middle to late game to fully realize those bonuses.

Choosing the good morality choices may be a short term loss, but the benefits you can reap later on are very significant- the Trade Center comes to mind. Of course, some events may be too costly to go good, especially PQ events during the initial planet grab. Then again, you can dip into the dark side, grab some of their special technologies, then work your way back up. Just be prepared for the diplomatic impacts.