I like the rivers in mapgen, adding fords to connect paths through them would prevent them from being a total obstacle. Something traversable by the player and biters, but not able to be built on. There could also be an early to midgame research to unlock artificial fords that work similarly, but al...

I wasn't requesting the removal of Alt-mode, just to add some of its features to regular mode. Alt-mode itself would remain unchanged. You want always on Alt-mode, it works just like it does now. If you don't like Alt-mode but need it, with my suggestion you could turn it off and have a factory that...

TL;DR Reduce reliance on Alt-Mode by making Modules, Recipes, and Chest Contents visible in 'normal mode'. What? Integrate beacon style module attachment points into the sprites of all applicable buildings. (Assemblers, Miners, Furnaces, Centrifuge, Chem Plant, Refinery, Rocket Silo, Pumpjack, etc)...