Buying the survey ship is a damn good idea. I will do that, but frankly is seems to be more of a beta exploit. I doubt they will sell their survey ship in the final release.

I am big on the influence starbases, econ, research, etc. not so much on the mining starbases

I build colony ships that are a hull and colony module only until they don't cut it.  I always research farms and colonial hospital first.  If my scout and survey ships don't find a habitable planet On 2 ST turn I drop my free colony ship on mars.  I use mars for pop to feed colony ships.  I try to have every planet feeding a star port and each star port with multiple planets.

Money, money, money, money, money. Then its build, trade, build, trade, build. Finally its money, exploit, start proxy wars, finish them while they are weak and poor, and lastly I win. Maybe I hold off on the winning and play for 100 more turns if I like the map?

My young apprentice, you need money to make power. Sometimes the plan doesn't twerk out but but if you follow step one and have read Sun Tuz: The Art of War, then you will know that even you have a small empire it is the one who founds the first trade monopoly and speaks at the UP that shall be victorious, for no empire can truly become powerful without diplomacy. :3

In other words, money wont buy you love but it will buy power, like techs, ships, friends, planets (although I don't do it because its a bit of a exploit. You just deteriorate its value and the AI will be happy to get rid of it... ) and lastly you can buy more economic improvements! And it boosts morale!$!$!$!

I don't know why more players don't see each credit earned as worth ten its value? Credits are a awesome totally awesome sauce*.

DARCA

Such is nonsense! Do not make up false tails about my given wisdom for I shall buy your silence!$!