I just signed up for this thing and it looks awesome. If you're hunting for me, I'm at (2040.1, 1806.6). I'm going the trade and RP-heavy route, so new neighbors are always welcome!
Tip: build bulkfreighters instead of merchantmen. If you start accumulating BFs (and therefore food as well) early, you might not face the same starvation problems the rest of us may soon have.