Not sure where the best place to look for all the changes... but I can respond to the 2 comments you made.
For jettisoning colos.. you must be good aligned I believe (1 align and higher). You can only do it once per day. You get as many negative alignment points equal to the number of colos you jettisoned.
As for torping a shielded planet.. The planet must have at least 200 (might be 201) planetary shields to stop a photon. The planet you photoned was at least an L5, but apparently the owner didn't bother to stock it with shields.
You should download TWGS and see some of the options a sysop can change. Doesn't cost anything to download.