In the interest of getting things moving here, I would just like to say that if we do play with tech trading on, I'll still be more than happy to play.

So don't be afraid to request your opinion.
I went ahead and tested out this Full_of_Resources map script, with huge maps and normal sea level and 14 civilizations. I dialed back tundra/ice/plains, made the land relatively nice, and generate a big-and-small-like map. The maps I have generated (see below) are cylindrical, though we can do toroidal if you want.
I think this map will be easy for an outsider to balance, if it has to be at all.
What do you think?
Map #1 (I forced the location of copper and horses by everyone's start)
Map #2 (This is with the no-tiny-islands setting). No screenshot available, I forgot it.
Map #3 (Everyone starts inland, though the script made me start coastal??)
Overall, judging from the settings above, I think an interesting map would be where we have one "massive" continent with many scattered islands, like the first map here (but not with that many tiny islands!

) OR a map like the third one, but with more balance.
I did like how little tundra/ice there was.

One fix that really needs to be made, though, is for civs who start on their own peninsula or isolated in island chains, but I'm sure that can be worked out by the map "checker."
Some possible Full-of-Resources settings:
1. Force the appearance of copper, horse, and iron in everyone's "player zone" (not necessarily the starting capital itself).
2. Increase or decrease the amount of mountains (mountain chains anyone?). I left it at defaults.
3. Increase plains/desert/tundra/ice - no thanks.
4. Island chains/islands - yes, but not too much.
Saves: