Users will going to have different perception as far as donation button is concerned. Some might get offended and some may not. So what you get it as ?
lolzzzzzzz you know i really don't know if i qualify to answer this... cause when i saw the thread the first thing i asked, where is the donate button???? and i STILL can't find it....
ah you should have mentioned that... no i don't think it offends, infact few of the site i download stuff from, they get 1200$ per month (mostly) through donation, for there maintainence A lot of them feel they get so much from a site, donating 1-2$ won't cost them anything...as they become so close to the community like we have it here. if its there feel free to donate or not then i think its a good idea...even for this forum, i would be glad to donate if i am sure its secure...
It's rather difficult question to answer unless I know exactly what donate button is, how it functions and what it is intended for.
i dont think that offends. Its just way for the webmaster to earn something to maintain the server or as a reward for daily bread. So i strongly believe donate button should be there. Even most of the users will like it because they feel that its a request not a compulsion.
i agree with shabbir, (saying it personally) there are few sites i haveily use (for downloads and all), but i am nt able to donate to them, first being a student, second safety reasons(online frauds), but then i never felt donate button shouldn't be there....infact i feel whenever i be in a position to donate, i'll first donate to them as these are the sites that have helped me gain knowledge. So even if i feel bad, its somewhere for the good....
Ohh what the heck...why the controversy....i'll make a donate button,you all can donate towards my new corvette....lol
I'm not offended by donate buttons, I just ignore them. I run Firefox through Privoxy so this takes care of adverts, so I don't need to pay to get rid of adverts.
donate buttons are request buttons from the site to donate some amount (minimum 1$ to whatever you can donate) through paypal or credit card, some sites give you extra features when you donate like extra speed, some don't. Some force you to donate by having a popup whenever they are running low of cash some keep it low.... Simply put an alternative way of getting fund from members for using the site...