I have had a descent amount of experience with html and coding in the past, and i have stated playing around with the xml files. I got myself an xml editor and started lookin through stuff. i have an idea for a simple mod and would like to stretch my wings by creating it.

I want to add a survey module which would contribute research points to your Civs research total. This in essence would create the "Science Vessel" category. What would i need to do in order to do this? Any Specifics would be appreciated considering this will be my first mod.

Here’s what I want to do:

Copy the survey module component. Add a set amount of research points to be added into the Civs research total every turn (say 5 for the first class, then 10, then 20) these new modules coming available as you research the next "research" tech, eg. Research Academies, Inventions Matrix, Discovery Spheres… ext. However you would have to have a minimum of Stellar Cartography to have these modules available, so it would have a double tech requirement, (eg. Research Academies & Stellar Cartography). I would also like to remove the limit of one per ship that the current survey Module has so that I can have a purely defenseless high out put science vessel or an "Enterprise like" research/exploration/defensive vessel.

Also if any once else wants to take my idea and implement it into your own mod, or take my files once I’m done and use it please do... I love the idea of having my ships work for a greater good then just killing and destruction Again thanks for any input you guys may have. I’m really excited about learning how to do this stuff, but I realize its gonna be a steep learning curve at first.