Would you use it? Assuming the results were as good as search.com's results - not affiliated, just the SE I use - would you give priority to an advertising-free search engine or is it something that wouldn't make a difference to you?
i would support goog in case its adfree but the amount google generates frm advertisers it would never hav generated with donations.
You have to remember one important aspect of the web. WE are webmasters, WE understand the hard work and money it takes to build a quality site. Other people don't understand the time and effort it takes to build a quality business that works online. Most people think of internet millionaires and the "if will build it, they will come" mindset. I would donate a little in order to bring a new search engine to the market, but would the masses?