I apologise in advance if I'm posting this in the wrong place!

Basically I've only had this game since yesterday and am starting to get into it. However, I'm finding a few problems I'm hoping someone can help with.

I've tried two or three beginner games on tiny galaxies as various races but every time I get so far and one of the opponents declares war on me. The problem is that it doesn't matter how hard I've tried, they have always ended up with superior weapons and technologies so have defeated me.

Can anyone offer some tips - or maybe point me in the direction of a thread that deals with this? Because so far I'm scratching my head and getting nowhere fast!

Thanks.