Re the date format. If you look at your computer settings, you will see that it can be either way. Personally, I'm ambidatestrous, having once lived in Detroit, which strangely was the centre (sorry, 'center') for metrication - another sensible system that Americans have not yet embraced.

I must have excited UPS by taking advantage of their tracking information. This morning I received no less than four emails from them advising of the progress of the BB 2012.5 hard drive:

The full story:

Honolulu, HI, United States 10/08/2012 8:38 Departure Scan
10/08/2012 6:01 Arrival Scan
Ontario, CA, United States 10/08/2012 3:41 Departure Scan
Botany, Australia 10/08/2012 16:57 Package data processed by brokerage Waiting for clearance / Released by clearing agency Now in-transit for delivery
10/08/2012 16:31 Package data processed by brokerage Waiting for clearance
Ontario, CA, United States 09/08/2012 22:39 Arrival Scan
Botany, Australia 10/08/2012 14:12 Package data processed by brokerage Waiting for clearance / Released by clearing agency Now in-transit for delivery
10/08/2012 14:12 Registered with clearing agency / Shipment submitted to clearing agency
10/08/2012 14:12 Registered with clearing agency
Seattle, WA, United States 09/08/2012 20:11 Departure Scan
Botany, Australia 10/08/2012 11:43 Package data processed by brokerage Waiting for clearance
Seattle, WA, United States 09/08/2012 18:39 Arrival Scan
Richmond, BC, Canada 09/08/2012 17:48 Departure Scan
09/08/2012 17:23 Export Scan
09/08/2012 16:45 Arrival Scan
Victoria, BC, Canada 09/08/2012 16:15 Departure Scan
09/08/2012 15:08 Origin Scan
Canada 09/08/2012 17:22 Order Processed: Ready for UPS

Help! Information overload!

But it is getting here. Of course, there could be interruptions due to conditions encountered with weather, volcanic ash clouds, floods, etc. But most of the potential problems were on the Atlantic route via Asia and they seem to have avoided those by going via Honolulu. Anyway, they will tell me if there are any later hold ups. Of that, I am now absolutely sure. What wonderful technology we have these days. But I do hope all that scanning does not do any harm to the data on the hard drive.

John,

You could be correct about that spelling, however:

"The correct spelling is actually bated breath but it’s so common these days to see it written as baited breath that there’s every chance that it will soon become the usual form, to the disgust of conservative speakers and the confusion of dictionary writers."

I have always tended to be a bit common.

Grah Jive Talk
"Don't worry baby, they'll swing their arses off."