Modding is completely different. Even while making the game arguably funnier for most people (I don't care at all, I'd rather just play vanilla because it's a lot easier to get the game going), it isn't the way the game is originally meant to be played. Funnier or more complex, more content etc, is not what defines the way the game was meant to be played originally. Even though Toady means to eventually implement this or that, vanilla is the way the game is meant to be originally played on it's present state.
I don't know... The game is already exploitable enough, you can indefinitely multiply steel, bug entire caravans to take all their stuff for free with no penalties whatsoever, etc. I find those to be particularly not funny, but I know people that play using all of the infamous exploits and hacks, such as danger rooms, steel multiplying, lots of dfhack's commands and have lots of fun with it. I just don't see the point at all, specially with invaders turned off. If you think it will be better for learning about the game itself (commands and interface aside) you're mistaken.
You could just play it the early game on because it won't be much different anyway. You shouldn't be lacking resources until you upgrade to steel industry, which is already in it's essence, mid-game (by industry I mean large scale, at least enough to keep on repeat) and then you can just multiply steel.
I mean, besides wealth, having "resources" doesn't make much of a difference to the game at all until you have at least some dwarves. I seriously think your concept of in-game development for DF is a little flawed.