1. Anyone have a walk-through on some of the Cap+ scenarios?
I was trying to play Techno-sweep and am having problems even getting started without going bankrupt.

2. I tend to set my R&D units on 3 year improvement plans ... with the factories getting autoupgraded. As a result, the factory does not tend to improve via training unless I really max it ... each time I've gotten further down the road, the R&D improvements knock my manufacturing untis backs. What is your favorite answer to this?

3. What is your favorite factory design?
Here are some of my favorites:

1 input production scheme (consistent supply of product)
P M S
M M M
S M P
Works well for beds for example. If there is a factory making textiles, this works for jeans, etc.

Variations on this:
P1 M3 S3 ----- P1 M2 S2 ----- P1 M2 S2 ------- P1 M2 M3
M4 M2 M3 ----- M4 I2 M2 ------ M4 I1 M2 ------- M4 M2 S3
S4 M4 P1 ------ S4 S4 P1 ---- S4 M4 P1 ------- S4 M? P1
P1 = cotton, M2 = textiles, M3=jeans, m4=Toy bear, M? = M3 or M4
I'm not entirely convinced on any of these though and would be interested in comments.

1 input production scheme (inconsistent supply)
P1 M2 S2
M3 I1 M2
S3 M3 P1

2 input production scheme: (think detergent/toothpaste with p1=chem materials)
P1 M3 S3
M4 P2 M3
S4 M4 P1

3 input production schemata: (1 or 2 outputs from same 3 inputs possible if P1=P4)
P1 M5 S5
P2 M5 P3
P4 M6 S6
This works nicely for AC production for example when P1=P4=Steel.

2 input production schemata (inconsistent input on 1 product, 1 step manufacturing on another, possible to produce 2 items or have M3=M4 and S3=S4 ... think Diapers with P1=timber and P2=Cotton):
P1 M3 S3
M1 M3 I2
S4 M4 P2

To be honest, if you can afford it, maxing training is a must in all situations, especially for factories where it will maximise production.

Perhaps the best thing to do would have even longer R&D schedules?

Those are some very interesting factory plans. Will have to try them.

As for the research & training issue... well, I basically just micromanage instead of using auto apply. I spend a lot of the playing time with the game paused and micromanage everything (sometimes it seems the time never moves at all, heh).

I do the same. Micromanage, micromanage and micromanage ...

Digressing for a moment ... at the beginning of a new game I enjoy buying and selling shares only. At a later time, I build a logging camp and an oil well, in areas with high quality of raw materials. In this way I get the monopoly of these materials. After that, I start to produce goods (beds, in particular).