Technology tree and ship battle ideas

i gotta say galciv2 is one of the best pc games ever, no im not an expert player, and i have never played the single player campaign, (not that i don't wanna, i just like playing custom games).
my only gripe is the tech tree, i always play with accelerated start and the slowest tech growth, but that's still not slow enough for me. . the thing is u see by the time u design ure latest capital battle cruiser then build it (which usually takes 4ever in itself) then gather a fleet together and send em to the front lines (takes a while if ya playing a large map) your mega fleet is all but obselete!! yes u can upgrade ya ships. . but that seems pointless. . and when u go into battle u might have 4 mega huge capital ships and 8 cruisers all with top tech stuff on, but if the enemy has 3 tiny fighters with quantum singularity launchers equipped, then ure entire fleet is wiped out in no time. . bah, and there is now way to direct or concentrate fire in tactical battles. . bah

so here is my idea on tech tree

Each race has a unique tree that is personal to them. . so all races can for e.g. research into all weapon types but only specialize in a specialize in a given type, for e.g. all races can get missile weapons but only a few can access the tech tree all the way in a given type.

i think to access tech that is not available to a given race then the only way to get it is to trade or steal that technology

i also think, weapons should have advantages and disadvantages, not just a simple paper wrap stone that it is now for e.g. stinger missiles might have better range and targeting, but harpoons deliver more damage close range, this way older techs are not obsolete and useless as soon as a newer one is invented, (again plasma's might be more powerful than phasors but phasors are more efficient and take less energy.

i think dmg types should be modified so dmg is across the board, and shields provide more em where as armour provides more kinetic but not just one or the other. . this way it is more likely to mix weapon and defence load outs, rather than just equipping for race specific. .

i also think the tactical parts of the game should be expanded, a fleet battle should be more interactive and so should the ground battles, this is to effect the outcome, now i don't mean change the battles into a full blown homeworld battle, cus this is a 4x game. . but it would be nice to have some interactivity, im thinking along the lines of Reunion by Grandslam//Amnesty Design. . a great game and similar concept. .

things to add. . .

Orbit screen with hires planets. . . in this screen you can build orbital defences and space stations and big ship construction (similar to planet view), if an enemy fleet invades then then they have to get through these first. .

Crew. . this is what u add to your ships to make em work. the tech works like miniaturisation (automation) for every tech increase of automation a specific ship class will require less crew. all modules require specific crew to operate. . there would have to be academies built on the planet to supply crew for the ships.

Robotics, a tech to help with not only construction, but periods to replace crew in super large capital ships. . . so a droid construction plant on a planet would be required. . .

Totally redesigned planet interface. . . again something better like Reunion would be more appropriate. in reunion the colony construction was similar to an Rts.

New colony design infrastructure and micromanagement. . ( an idea ) but if the colony design was to be changed then it would open up, residential buildings, power buildings, and mining facilities. it would open up colony orbital bombardment as well which would be interesting

Carriers, might be a good addition weak on there own, but good in a fleet, also the could invaded planets as well but carry less troops but maybe just maybe tanks and other stuff too

all this talk on galciv 2 makes me wanna play. . . . please leave any feedback//ideas. . . it could make an interesting read