I'm trying to have a pop at MOO2 and wondered if anyone had any tips for starting the game, never played either of them before just heard great things so thought I'd see what's what but a bit overwelmed...

This helped me quite a bit.

Yeah, there is alot to take in. Play it on a huge universe with 3-4 opponents to make it take a while to see combat. When building a race, I STRONGLY advise creative, makes the game alot better IMO. Basically if you right click on the research projects in the research section you get full descriptions. I recommend getting some shielding up quickly, as well as pushing for Gauss Cannons in Physics, and form there start building in other areas, all have their perks, and I cant tell you with is right at a given point in your game, as it does change. If you are having constant food problems, then Biology is your friend, subterranian farms, weather control, terraforming etc. Focus on computers to gain access to building that will allow you to research faster.
Unfortunately there is only so much teaching that can be done without being there to help in your specific scenerio. Alot of this game is just messing with it. Okease read up a little, take what I said into consideration, and try a couple rounds, likely getting your @$$ handed to you, but then you can come to us with, I did this then this then this, and the Klackons wiped me out. I had this on my ships, they had that on theirs. From there we can offer alot more help. GL!

Experiment with everything. Try out a variety of different options. Creative is definitely a good option for beginners (and experts!) but isn't totally necessary - I usually play without in favour of a few other options, especially since Creative is so expensive. Take it, though, because it will give you an idea of what all the technologies do; you have to pick which of the several listed you want if you don't have Creative (and one gets picked at random for you if you take Uncreative!).
Start on an Average tech level until you get used to things; this gives you a place to start without forcing you to research warp-flight technology (as Pre-warp) or putting you directly in contact with everyone (as Advanced). Take as big a galaxy as you can, and only two or three computer players to give yourself some elbow room until you learn to deal with diplomacy and combat.
Expand as quickly as you can; push your borders out first with colonies (or outposts, if absolutely necessary), then fill in good planets behind your lines - good planets will grow faster anyway. Don't worry too much about your military ships until you have a reason to, and try to keep your ships as up to date as you can when you get some new technologies in play. Keep a few spies on hand - just in case.
Not sure what else I can tell you, but that's some general good tips, anyway. Oh - one more thing. Don't sign an alliance agreement unless you're prepared to go to war with everyone else to maintain the treaty. Your AI ally will be constantly bugging you to fight the others, even people that he's not at war with.