We have alot of these on our list under "Advance Options", where we'll be putting a button on the startup screen that REALLY lets the player go crazy with the galaxy and game setup. Keep in mind that, while most of these seem rather easy to implement, the AI has to take these into account when formulating a strategy (ex. the AI right now may assume it has 5000bc to start with, then screw itself by buying too many items).
Dunno when it's planned to go in, but it's definatly on our list 