Jeremy - I am very glad you are considering ads! Over the last year or so this site has become one of my favorites, and certainly my number one source for cyclone news and rumors.
Still, as a broke college student, I've felt somewhat helpless in that while I can continue to take advantage of yours and others hardwork and dedication, I can do very little to pay you back for it. Simply put, this is not right. If anything, you should profit from all your hardwork, not the opposite!
The addition of the donations was a nice touch, as it gave people, who can, the ability to give something in return. However, as I am enough in debt from school as it is, I (and for that matter many like me) cannot not make any significant contribution. What I can do, is continue to show up time after time. If this extra activity encourages companies to advertise, and thus means more money for the site, then I can feel like I at least did SOMETHING in return.