Toady, is it worth putting up a monthly donations target? The amount that would keep DF afloat each month? I've seen that sort of thing done on various sites before and I am led to believe it has some sort of psycological effect on people, making them ever so slightly more likely to donate if they can 'see' the effect their donation is having. Hmm, there is a flip side to that though, in that some people might think their small donation is not worth making. So a message underneath the target that says "every penny helps" might be needed.
Also, the fact that there's no "thank you" message when you donate could be a bit off putting. Heck, even if it's automated, it would still go a long way. I know I felt I had to email you to make sure my PayPal donation had actually gone to the right place, before I would feel comfortable doing it again (payday in a couple of weeks).
Vicious circle, isn't it. People are more likely to donate as the game develops, but the game needs donations in order to develop. That sig of yours, the "preserve yours today" is very apt indeed.
Edit: Start selling DF merchandise through the site. T-Shirts, mugs, baseball caps...tea-cosies. Someone made a great sig with a bunch of E's and Dwarves all over each other with the message "In ur base! Killing ur dorfs!" That'd make a great T-Shirt. Or a "Legendary Miner" mug. Anything.
Or have someone make Kobold Quest into a mobile phone game that sells for two bucks or something daft like that.
[ September 21, 2006: Message edited by: JimBadger ]