SPOILERS:
(Highlight below to read.)
I put everybody on research to get the tech points needed as soon as possible for:
  1. 4,500 to get L1 of the faction;
  2. 11,000 to get L2 Science;
  3. 50,000 to get L2 of the faction so I can get rid of the sharks.
During this time I'll only use a farmer occasionally if the food stocks are getting particularly low, otherwise the villagers live on mushrooms. I also won't bother with training up builders until after I've got the tech points.
END SPOILERS

EDIT: Perhaps I ought to stress that the above is the way I've found works best for me. Others may well prefer to play differently.



Edited by arnie (06/10/08 04:00 PM)
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To err is human; to arr is pirate.