MHO:  Torian is the easiest race to start with, because of the Learning Centers and the Central Mine.  Artificial Gravity is always my first tech to research, followed by Colonial Settlements,, and my first citizen is always an admin.  Next I research either Planetology or Interstellar Travel (depending on my situation), then you need to work your way to Xeno Experimentation.  The real power in Learning Centers comes when they level up, so be sure to place them on research bonus tiles, next to Wonders, and next to each other.  Mine antimatter as soon as you can, and research Resource Processing and onward, so you can get the Central Mines.  On most of your planets, Space Elevator and Central Mine will probably go next to each other--they feed off each other.  From there onward, you're probably set.