Getting defeated so many times....

[Dr.Bismarck]

I cant believe how hard this game is to the usual noob. My problem is that I cant get enough money to keep up with the costs of my civ. So I just lower science till Im in the green again, eventualy slowing my progress to a halt and resulting in me dying...

I need some help Ive read a few articles but I think im too far behind to read the pro articles...

How does commerce work?

 

[Tomoyo]

Your cities produce gold. "Zoom" into each city to see how much it's producing, which will be based on the terrain. Try to make sure that every tile that's being worked has a road on it, because that gives you one more gold. Gov'ts like Republic or Democracy give an extra commerce to any tile already producing at least one. Basically - more roads.

There's a lot more, but I don't want to explain it. Someone else can...

 

[The Omega]

Build roads and railroads on every tile. They both add one commerce (gold) to the tile.

 

[Tomoyo]

No, just the roads. Rails add one shield or food depending on whether the tile is irrigated or mined.

 

[Dr.Bismarck]

so commerce=gold?

 

[Ramza]

yup, that's right.

 

[Matt_G]

Read this.

It's old but still relevant.
Whipping only gets you 20 shields per citizen. That article was written when it was still 40.

 

[smeggo]

I need some help Ive read a few articles but I think im too far behind to read the pro articles...

Even though you might feel you're too far behind you can still learn from these articles. Bamspeedy's article on winning on Diety springs to mind. Sorry I don't know how to link it here.
Although I play on a much lower level there was plenty of good info to be gleaned from it and helped me no end.

 

[Tomoyo]

Bamspeedy's Deity Settlers