I had always though my ways were "normal", but it seems like 75-85% of the fortresses in the DFMA are built by people with more-or-less the same mind-set, a mind-set totally different than mine (not better or worse, mind, just different).
1. I seldom make square or rectangular rooms. The last time I housed a dwarf in your bog-standard 2x2 or 3x3 chamber carved out of the rock was in a succession game.
2. I almost never put workshops or stockpiles in individual rooms; the two usually go in the same room (or at least one is on top of the other). I can't remember the last time I felt obliged to give anyone a lockable workshop. My forts tend to be laid out as caverns and chambers rather than rooms and corridors.
3. I hate idleness, and (this is apparently very unusual) almost invariably find more than enough work for all. Partying's rare in my forts. Even partying children. I love immigrants. I hate pathfinding lag.
4. I always have a large group - often 50% of the adult dwarves - with the title "hauler" who do pretty much nothing but tote and carry. I also tend to have unusually few (but unusually highly-skilled) dwarves making stuff - never had more than two weaponsmiths, or four smelters, or two clothiers, and so forth.
5. I set up unusually elaborate food stockpiles...but also have unusually few non-food stockpiles, preferring to demolish and rebuild workshops as needed.
6. I'm a quality fanatic, and have been ever since I learnt (about day four of playing this game) that dwarves appreciate well-made architecture, buildings, and furniture.
7. I'm very nice to the elves. Gifts, buy 'em out, accept quotas, you name it. Wouldn't even DREAM of locking them up or stealing their stuff.
8. I loathe cats (in DF; I'm very fond of them in Real Life).
[ April 07, 2008: Message edited by: Fedor ]