Moderate colonization vs. enourmous colonization

from Stardock Forums
I just want to know what people think. In large maps I found that colonizing to many star systems can be a bit detrimental. Here's what I mean. We know that the other 5 civ's get a population bonus and seem to have their planets grow a heck of a lot faster. Often times I find that getting to many start systems can end up leaving ourselves vulnerable especially in the technology and military race.

My solution is not to expand in a more moderate fashion try to build a quick army and attack some of the weaker colonies. I guess my only problem with that is that it makes the game a bit 1 dimensional in the strategy department kinda of like Civ3.

I am curious to know what you all think. BTW I typically finance a lot of colony ships and just head out for the most abundant sectors. My economy is usually abysmal at the onset.
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Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Systems provide by far the best long term return on your investment (in this case colony ships). It is true also that by getting the system, you deny AIs of it and at higher levels one less system where they could apply their bonuses to.

However, as you have mentioned, aggressive colonisation could leave you far behind on other important areas such as military, tech and economy.

Usually, I would try to tag all in range systems before actually leaving the aggressive colonising stage.

Military rushes to conquer planets doesn't seem to be worthwhile to me in this game. Has anyone done it to great effect?