There isn't much vanity in minecraft. Also server costs money, and money doesnt grow an trees.
Do you expect me to go to the park full hobo and ask for money so I can pay for my server. Didn't think so.
i'm glad you have a real-world reason, but we're talking about how it affects gameplay, and it affects gameplay poorly. i'm aware that running servers costs money, and donations are how many servers sustain themselves (thus some VPS providers like NFO have built-in donation systems so all donated money goes toward the VPS rather than the coffers of some random dude on the internet)
this idea on the other hand:
On the other hand. I can make a global bonus like and exp boost for everyone or whatever if someone donates.
is cool. things where donors are like superheroes that make everyone around happy are pretty Cool in my opinion.
There isn't really much difference between default players and beta testers tbh.
i personally feel very uncomfortable knowing that another player is better off in any way through no additional effort (or fault on my part)
this is the essence of "pay to win" if not handled in proper moderation. armor and tools break. fine. i can accept that maybe it's just a helpful little starter pack to get the resources you need to start (though iirc the /kit command can be used infinitely?), even though starting out with something which is literally the strongest of its kind ridiculous.
an upgraded mine with emerald and lapis. fine. those aren't a big deal anyway. uranium i have somewhat a problem with because it is a very powerful resource in this modpack, but i'm assuming that the mines don't regenerate (or at least not often) and aren't super-large either, so when you get a lot of players in the server with access to the mine, w/e maybe.
the problem i have is that people can essentially slip a fiver under the table and suddenly have access to some of the best armour in the game, one of the best tools in the game, a mine where they can use their amazing tool to get
uranium, which they can then use to make ludicrous devices (including powerful explosives)
whose production lines can be powered with their infinite battery, and then potentially terrorise other players with very little necessary build-up (eliminating the power collection aspect of the game is a pretty big deal). in short and in general, people being able to get gameplay advantages for no reason is terrible in any game and a minecraft server is no exception
I'M SO UPSET ABOUT THE INTERNET ON THE INTERNET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!