Yeah, you might be true about the application process. The thinking was that by filling out a more comprehensive application form that would be a more accurate representation of turnout, where as a simple application form would mean that people would apply with nothing to show for it and the turnout compared to that would be lower.
In terms of poor promotion here, I would be disingenuous if I didn't take a good chunk of responsibility for that - I could have made more monthly topics keeping everyone informed, could have tried to put out Project of the Month articles to keep development in focus, and have gotten more out for the Community Project. As for promotion elsewhere, that idea always sounds good until it has to be applied - we could mention it to our Zelda affiliates, heck we probably should mention it to them.