About the much-critizised, yet very practical Galaxy (I preferred the GOG downloader, but it has been abandoned):

Just found out about an option under the button on the right: "More". For many games (not all) there is a menu option at the botton of the list named "Other". There you can find interesting options, like settings (graphical, etc), or the different EXEs when the game includes expansions.

I share it here in case it helps anyone.

GOGDownloader still works, and in some scenarios work better than Galaxy.

Thanks for sharing the info. Some might not know it. :)
I have seen the Other menu contain things like 'Graphical/ video settings', 'Language settings', 'Manuals', 'Readme', 'Level Editors', 'Network play/ server' etc. Usually it contains what you have in the corresponding Windows Start Menu folder (apart from the game).

I did not know it until last Sunday, to my embarrassment :D I was looking for an easyier way to launch the Beyond the Sword version of Civilization IV, then bingo! :)

Can I ask an off topic question? Have you played Civ V? Canyou compare them a little and suggest whether someone who has Civ V on steam go for Civ IV on GOG?

Yes. Without hesitation.

I have been a good try (years) to Civ V, expansions and all.

The feeling of the original, II, III and IV is about simulation. You face historical dynamics and you can even learn from them and understand history a little better.

On the other hand, Civ V is very gamey. That is enough to put one off.

Looks: Civ IV looks nice and the interface handles very high resolutions better than even games from last year. No advantage there for Civ V. Actually, the 5th lost the videos for the wonders, so it is even a bit worse in that respect.

Civ 5 feels soulless. The new Beyond Earth is even worse in that. Civ 4 is vibrant.

There is one improvement in Civ 5: the combat on an hexagonal grid. But combat in Civ4 is fine as well, especially with long range weapons.

Lots of mods, officiall (included with the game and expansions) and downloadable.

To sum it up: coming back from Civ5 to Civ4 feels like coming to a better game. Yo will not find it an "old" game at all.

Then, there were a few things that were lost with Civ3, but there you would feel it is a little old. Not much, but you will not be able to zoom, for example. Also, Civ4 added many improvements. Both are enjoyable, buy Civ4 added more mechanics (like religion and corporations, and better combat) and also remains more accesible at first.

Feel free to take a peek at the Sid Meier's Civilization subforum. Also, further questions are welcome, had you any.