I've got an old CD of the original non-plus Capitalism, and picked up Capitalism Plus recently. I'd never heard anyone talk about the original, only the plus version. I figured it was so improved that it was basically the new standard, but it feels like the pictures are grainier and the graphics in general are more varied, but lower quality. Apart from the maps being larger, I haven't really been able to notice any gameplay differences between them. Anyone know enough about both games to say if I'm missing something?

Never played the non-plus version, however from Moby Games:

http://www.mobygames.com/game/capitalism-plus

New features in this game are:
Slightly enhanced graphics
Increased number of products (over 80 now) most from the hi-tech sector
New random events like revolutions, earthquakes, etc.
Real world maps of different business regions of Europe, USA and Asia
Map- and scenario editor
Pre-made historical and futuristic scenarios
Multi-Player option (PBEM)

Hotseat too, actually.

I've played it a lot in hotseat mode, though it isn't really well suited for it. That is, as this is a real time game, the computer plays for you when the opponen takes his "turn".

It would actually have been a lot better if you could give the computer some decent instructions, but you can't so you can expect hugely annoying stuff like R&D-projects being cancelled because the computer wants to research something else.

I expect the PBEM-mode works the same way, only even worse because if you're playing hotseat you can freely switch between the players as needed (easier when both players are on the same computer).

Despite all the problems I've had some really fun hotseat games of Cap Plus. The main drawback is really that at some point the players grow so big that things begin to take an enormous amount of time, but for beginners that won't be a problem for a while anyway.

Edit: To the OP: I don't think the non plus version has more than one set of goods to play with. There are three in Plus: Food & Beverages, Standard and Alternative.