Just a quick poll to see what people think:
To me it seems like having Tech trading on definitely makes the game easier; for three main reasons:
(a) You can make lots of cash from selling old/obsolete Techs - very useful before your economy stabilises.
(

You can acquire many Techs rather than researching them - which allows you to both focus your own research and/or develop a stronger production infrastructure.
(c) It is easier to influence AI diplomacy (I think that keeping the AI's fighting amongst themselves is hugely useful - so this one is important).
True the AI's can trade amongst themselves, but I find the the advantage they gain from this is overshadowed by the advantages to the player.
If it matters; I tend to play large maps (with varying settings, but usually configured to provide smaller number of habitable planets to decrease the micro) on relatively low difficulty levels (usually just two notches above Normal) for now.
Anyone have any thoughts?
Franbo