Okay you asked for it:
Brad's list of gripes for Galactic Civilizations II:
1) I would like larger ranges. I know someone else wishes rangers were smaller, I'm the opposite.
2) I want more difficulty levels.
3) I want a greater differentiation on the speed that technologies are researched
4) I want to be able to easily make canned scenarios (sceanrio that also has a map -- basically 1 mission campaigns)
5) I want to be able to have a screen for setting various AI options. i.e. a power user screen for little stuff. IF not a screen then a data file that i can tweak.
6) I want to be able to rename the computer players from the UI (you can do it from the text files).
7) I'd like there to be a ship component that causes ships to miss (i.e. a jammer) and I'd like a correponding targeting computer with both of these having various levels.
8) I'd like to see population have a more significant impact on production.
9) I would like to see planetary bonuses that affect production be visually apparent (i.e. if I have a 30% research ability, I get 30% more research taht I'm not charged for, I'd like to see the little beakers color coded so I know which ones I'm getting for free).
10) I'd like a high approval rating to give you production bonuses (that you can again see visually on the planet screen)
11) I'd like to see even more AI dialog (more different ones).
12) I'd like to have higher resolution textures NOW.
13) I would like a 24 inch Dell monitor (okay, that's not the game but I wanna it)
14) I would like to zoom in on planets and based on population have various orbital activity.
15) I would like to have a planetary improvement that makes ships start out at a certain level (i.e. barracks equivalent)
16) I would like to see a super project that doubles the money you get from tourism
17) I'd like to see a galactic achievement that doubles money from tourism again.
18) I'd like to have an orbital defense platform that's built like a very expensive ship but has no movement (I know you can customize your own but i'd like to see the game have this)
19) I'd like to find a way to incorporate some of the concepts from Oasis (one of my favorite games) into the ground combat.
20) I'd like to be able to set the base # of moves all units get at the beginning of the game.
21) I'd like to have certain planets visibly marked that they have some special resource and if you own that planet you automatically get that resource as a trade good.
22) I'd like to see the bonuses from ringed planets and planets with moons clearly displayed in the planet screen.
23) I'd like an option to disable ranges.
24) I'd like to work on the AI for another month straight uninterupted.
25) I want the AI to be able to beat me at intelligent.
26) I want more random events.
27) I want to make a new list after these things have been added. 
I think people are really going to like the game. But I think they should also know how Stardock operates -- we release games and you shouldn't ever have to update it if you don't want. But we will continue to enhance the game after release because we always have new ideas. 