well, first, grab a TXT/BIN converter off the forums. harpo's sins txt binner or the Dekhranic Mod Tool GUI 1.5.0.0. One thing is that you should also grab Impulse (it comes with Sins) and update to 1.17. Better graphics, and plenty of better things to play with in terms of better finished product (proper Advent SC meshes for one thing).

Now, you can try editing the .galaxy map files, but that's controlled by hexbits I THINK. And NEVER EDIT YOUR STANDARD GAME DIRECTORY. Make a mod that does it. Makes things MUCH easier, and you don't have to uninstall/reinstall Sins from disc if you mess up.

What I recommend is that instead of trying to edit the galaxy files, or trying to edit your save game files, make a new map in Galaxy Forge (you may want to grab harpo's map updater, search the forums for it), and simply edit each player's starting resources to the amount you want.

Also, MAKE SURE TO ASSIGN EACH PLAYER YOU PUT IN YOUR MAP (basically the max # of players the map can be played with) A HOMEWORLD!!!! Otherwise, if you set it to random start point, you may end up with a 'Defeat' screen, because you have no starting planet.

When you say you cannot open it, does that mean you have opened it but it won't let you save it? That sounds like a vista permissions issue. By default everything is read only, and make sure you give yourself permission to edit the file (even as an admistrator I had this issue, even though an adiministrator can change the properties anyways! Stupid vista, makes no sense). If not, follow the other guys advice.