Originally Posted by SecretMethod70

For one thing, if you paid any attention to stickies, site notices, or the giant red bar that was across the top of the homepage for a few days, you would already know the answer to your question. Sorry if we don't feel like repeating ourselves.

As for why there has been a historical aversion to it, it's because we don't like to feel like we're panhandling you for money. Think of it as part of the TFP experiment: can a site be run without assaulting you with advertisements and without asking you for money all the time? There's a simple "Donate now!" button at the top, and if you like the site and are able, then you should help out the community. In fact, Halx has tried so hard to keep money out of the TFP experience that he has frequently had to foot the bill himself, rather than ask everyone for money each month.

Unfortunately - and maybe this is partly due to the recession - we find ourselves needing to remind people a little more often now. So, you've got the notices at the top of the page and the monthly red bar measuring progress. Ideally, TFP is a place for users to come and generate discussion, not be asked for money all the time. But sometimes we reluctantly have to do what is necessary to keep the site going.

And to answer your question, just scroll up to Cynthetiq's post #23. You can see why we get annoyed at repeating ourselves when the answer gets posted in this very thread and is still apparently missed.