2)Rick
It would speed up placing and moving units if we could use a feature where players can create many units and move many units with the click of a few buttons (even fewer than the z and r shortcuts).
Mass Create: With this feature players can select a type of unit they wish to create. (Players can also press the R button and click on a base (as usual)). When prompted to place a unit on a sector; a player may click one sector and drag a box to another sector and form a square. Identical units would be immediately created within that square. If a problem arises where a unit cannot be created on sectors within the square (due to money, sector distance, sector possession, ect.) then those units will not be created, but the rest will. Side note: Due to money limitations, creation order is important. The first units to be created would be on the sectors closest to the first corner of the box selected. Order proceeds in diagonals in a clockwise direction. (see illustration)
Mass Move: With this feature players can select a group of units by clicking on one sector and dragging a box to another sector to form a square. The menu will come up and the player may select a path of movement for the group to take. (The player may also hold the z button and drag a box). All of the units within the box would be assigned that movement path. Move order is very important and also follows the pattern outlined above.
Note: Players have to hold down the Shift (or other) button when clicking on a sector and dragging a box to another sector. Otherwise the screen will scroll.
Two examples:
First half: Units will be created in that order if sector A is clicked and a box is dragged to sector B.
Second half: Units will be assigned to move in that order of a box is dragged from sector A to sector B. This is good if a player wants all of the units to move north-west, north, or west. Dragging a box from sector B to sector A is good if the player wants all the units to move south-east, south, or east. The other two unlabeled corners would function similarly.
So that's the idea. I went into depth of how the idea can be executed, but the details don't matter too much.