Was it for all levels of difficulty? I was under the impression that at low level, minor would stay in their home sector. But it higher level, they would colonize other sectors.

I'm glad I decided to check the boards today. I was wondering what I was doing wrong. It seemed that no matter what I did, I'd lose EVERY single trade good. Not just one or two, but all of them! Seems like the problem is widespread. Good. Miserly likes company.

I don't know how but one major did obtain diplo translators from a minor. they beat me to it, i traded to get it and had a huge diplomatic advantage over everyone but the minor and the one major.

One way to be able to get more Trade Good & wonders is to do most of your own researching with race bonuses in research; then not trade the techs to the other AIs, thus giving yourself extra time to build them.

Why did they restrict minors to one sector and then get rid of it?

Goblin Cookie, Minors started of restricted to only colonizing their own sector. Then SD changed it to the initial range level for how far out they'd go. I am not sure of the maximum level Minors will spread under the current (1.20) version.

I could be wrong, but it looks to me like they will expand to every sector next to a sector they already control. You can cut them off from expanding only by taking every planet in a sector that would give them access to an adjacent sector. Sometimes that can be difficult since they love to build those colony ships.

Not anymore thanks to the disable Minors Button in AP!