I found my key, and Starsector with 64-bit Java (with 4 Mb allocated) runs fine for me now.
I studied the Codex for a while before beginning my new game.
I noticed some portraits were touched up. Noticed Ryu (upper-left Hegemony officer left of Doomguy) is different. Same thing with the one guy who used to have boatlight glasses, now they are all green. My first character is Doomguy. (Maybe later, I'll pick power ranger or other spaceman or ninja portraits.)
I took the Wolf starter with Shepherd, though I may leave it behind soon since it is -1 burn for my Wolf. If Kite had the same burn as Wolf, but not Shepherd, I would have taken the Kite. With burn speeds equal, Shepherd won out due to cargo space and other salvaging bonuses, not to mention as was in no mood start-scumming if I did not like the officer's portrait and/or name.
I will probably prioritize speed, shot range, flux, and maybe OP for skills, which there are not too many of. I will probably complete ignore fighter skills. Other things like more officers and loot stuff looks promising, but I will think about it later after I see how many skill points I have left to get what I really want.