Hi EmpReb, one thing that I have found to help desperate beginners is to poop your pants before the game starts, and then sit down and let the poop stay in your pants during the duration of the game. This gives you a nice semi-liquid swivel chair to allow you to scan the battlefield easier and navigate through the tough onslaught of siege frigates and colony frigates you will likely face.
Also, as far as ingame strategy goes, I would play Vasari and spam Antorak Marauders all game, they are very overpowered. If you mix in some ravastra skirmishers and a steady dose of matter extractors, you should win 138.28% of all games you play on ICO.
hope this helps