mohammed, a gold to credits idea has been brought up before and discussed (check here:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=640&hilit=credits ). Xep brought some interesting points there and the discussion has reached a seemingly ending (Stall) point. As far as admin position goes, it does sound like a pretty risky (for game balance) option that we would rather avoid. We brought the issue up back then to get the necessary feedback following some random player suggestion.
ZJ, I like your idea for newcomers. Here is the topic where you can contribute more:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=456As Spastic said, they are coming real soon so it is the perfect time to warm them up a bit.
Regarding your other thoughts, we will keep what you said in mind for the time being. I'll just say that adding "critical events" where someone can pay can obviously work out but could possibly hinder the deep strategical element this game has. For example, one of the reasons the card market works so well is because a handful of people are looking ahead and are trying to create the strategical advantage beforehand.