Please download the new version 0.51b at the download section here. It is only one little exe file. There shouldn't be crashes in singleplayer games anymore.

I attempted to download the new .exe file, however on installing I received the error

"application failed to start because fmodex.dll was not found. Re-installing application may fix problem"

Any ideas??

I am at war with the Kharons. They control a system with all the planets terraformed but no population on it. I have colony, transport and warships there. I have set everyone to attack but the they won't take over the system. The transports have troops loaded. I have tried using the colony ships to colonize but that is not an available option. Is this a bug?

could be one. Usually you can only invade a populated system and you can also only colonize unclaimed systems. In this case you want to take over a claimed system with no population in it which means it falls out of the rules. Guess we have to fix this for the next version.
a quick fix is to scour for other enemy systems or outposts nearby and take them over. After that, the system in question gets unclaimed.

I've tried to attack an outpost with 6 heavy cruisers but all I get are "indecisive battles". They never destroy my ships and I never can destroy the outpost.

I'm letting the Kharons populate the system and then I'm bringing in the troops.

Thanks,

Eno

your ships are on "attack"? if so they should start a battle, maybe you could try adding some scouts to the fleet, sometimes battles don't take place because scan strength is too low to spot and close in on the enemy.

My ships were on attack. I think you suggestion about the scanning was correct. I was finally able to engage in a battle with the Kharon outpost and destroy it. Frankly I have "poo-poo'd" the thought of building scouts but this may warrant reconsideration.

The Kharons are on two sides of me so I am running from one side of my empire to the other side to fend them off. They really haven't hurt my heavy warships too badly and I have been able to maintain local superiority by using interior lines to fend off each threat. They did crush a fleet of fighters I built but they are easily replaced.

I like the Cartare Union better than the Federation. I can be more aggressive without making everyone so upset when eradicate the population of a system. I swear I thought I had killed Jesus or something when I killed off one minor race who declared war on me. I feel like I have to sit around on the defensive as the Feds.