Thanks very much for the replies so far. The funny thing is, even not knowing how to play the game, there is still something about it that draws me back. I mean, if I didn't really want to learn, I wouldn't have bothered posting at all. I'm gonna go play again today and not worry so much that I have no idea what I'm doing, and see what happens!
Edit: Oops, somehow made a new topic when all I wanted was to post in mine...even in the Galciv FORUMS I'm a failure