1) Works for me.
Step 1: Research Xeno Ethics.
Step 2: Choose Neutral.
Step 3: Research appropriate terraforming techs.
Doesn't seem to matter if I research the terraforming techs before or after Ethics.

I do remember at least one version of the game where Ethics alone did it, without regard for the actual terraforming techs researched, but I'm fairly positive that's no longer the case even in DL.  (Do note that I don't play much DL these days, so it's possible I missed that there.)

2) Not possible.
Some of us are still hoping for a toggle option there.

Well it happened to me all the times I was playing as a neutral civ, no matter if i had terraforming techs already or not, the tiles were all upgraded. But it was in DL. This was my first game as a neutral civ in ToA and so I asked, because I thought it was intended this way, but as I see I misunderstood.

So the upgrade is istantly available after i research the proper tech, right?

As for 2) yeah, a toggle option would be nice.

In DA this is not true, there the planets are generated invariably at map-setup, with the sole exception that IF you get a PQ colonization-event, those additional tiles might also contain bonus-tiles.

But still interesting. In what version/expansion did you notice that?

I experienced this in a ZYW, although ony one time. I was colonizing the 3rd planet, building a starport and buying a ship; but subsequently I couldn't follow my research-order to the last tech.

So I reloaded to colonize but built a lab instead, just to get a colonization-event which yielded a 100% research-bonus-tile, which was not there game the before. Was positively surprised about that. The game stuck well into my mind because, actually in the same turn/game, my FlagShip found a 1000bc anomaly, which on reload was someting different. And that I didn't knew previously also not, that asteroids et al hold varying bonuses.

I reloaded this turn for quite some, when I got the PQ-event again the 100% tile was again there.

Nevertheless, the possibility is there that it was only a glitch. I remember Arunodayt once had a MV-game which started out on a PQ19 planet. (Why do such things never happen to me?) Such things can happen actually, randomly, who knows when a small info on harddrive gets corrupted?

*Very* interesting. Can this be confirmed? I actually asumed otherwise - because if you do Control-N you'll have to have a connection established to the MV.

Although that doesn't prove anything - you could be very right after all.

  I just realize that in the last gigantic I had my nose pressed to the screen for half an hour for... actually...

nothing!   

ToA latest version is where the planets are generated on colonization.

I've used the ctrl-N a few times but the results seem to suggest a preset % amount in bonus tiles. BUT I use created maps where all races start with three planets so it's easier to see the changes in values over the use of ctrl-N where as one planet will not show you much info.

I can verify that for latest (or even marginally current) DA and TA Ctrl+N does not keep the habitable count consistent.

I don't use mods. I just rollback to the previous turn and then run it and colonize. I've done this numerous times with different result on each colonization. I do use a PQ modifier for my race so I usually get 1-2 more tiles to start. I also have 2.03 ver but I do use a huge map. that may be the difference as there are many planets versus less. Basically, I can't answer your question as I don't know why I get it. It could be the racial modifiers, the game setup options, It could be just about anything.

Never noticed the reset to calkwalk, didn't look.  The AI relations happens every time for me.  DL too IIRC.  Donno TA, I finally learned my lesson and don't do it anymore.

After I ctrl-n I always pay attention to my income and the instant it goes up it means that the game went back to cakewalk. This was a common problem that occured randomly in DL v1.40x. Not sure whether or not this has been fixed in DA or not but old habits die hard. Anyway the only time I've had any reset to cakewalk it's been because I forgot what I was doing and did a ctrl-n on a reloaded game.

Never really noticed whether or not relations changed, it's not like I'd be willing to play the game out that way.

Control n Can you identify what it supposed to do and how it works are there any other keys.I use twilight of the arnor. I don't usually play neutral rarely use zeno ethics.