Maybe my settings are wrong? I just left everything the way it started and played 3 normal large games as terrans.
Most stars have no usable planets...? My first game I never found one Frozen, Barren, or Aquatic planet.
There is almost nothing to survey. And finding +10 treasury when I start with 5,000 seems trivial. I think you should be able to Survey dead planets. Make their massive presence on the map somewhat useful.
Wakrob