Like chess there are so many ways to open a game and I was curious as to all of your standard opening moves and researches.  I only play single player (for now) and I'm trying to refine my opening gameplay.  I know that depending on various factors your basic strats change, but on average what is your typical starting strategy?

Extractors>build 2-3 scouts>capship factory>build colonizing capship>two civic research>build light frigates to cap limit and begin expanding>research metal and crystal returns.  Then I expand and play as needed.  I want to know your opinions on how I can refine this.  Are my resources better spent on something else?  I've always been building 2 civic research first for claiming those ice or volcanic planets as soon as I see them and ignoring military labs until i claim my 2nd or 3rd planet.  I just need some help because I still don't feel i get the best jump.  I don't worry about planet upgrades except for perhaps the first population upgrade to prevent lost credits to underdevelopement tax but i save planetary upgrades for early mid game.