Hi David,

>Well, you are right, 2001 is indeed the first year of the next millenium. Arthur C Clarke knew that :-). What's happened is that the masses and the pollies (Aus. for politician) can't cope with the concept, after all 2000 has got the "20" in it. Anyway, all the big parties (including the official ones) are planned for 31/12/99! We who know better can celebrate twice!

I'll never be the one to turn down a chance to party.:-)

>The underlying current of mystical fear about such events isn't confined to organised religion (after all, argmageddon was supposed to be 1 AD or thereabouts - very disappointing for the prophets!); here where religion is much more "subdued" than in the USA many still believe something is going to happen. As if base 10 arithmetic is divine somehow (chuckle). Anyway enough said about that.

I think I understand. Are most folks down there part of some branch of the Angilcan Communion (Church of England)? If so, I can relate, I'm an Episcopalian myself which is part of that, and I know how "we" are.:-)

>BTW, You may have noticed how extraordinarily hard it is to explain the "bug" to lay people. I can't even explain what I do for a living to my relatives and friends.

Sure have. I think they understand why the two digit thing might cause a problem, but what I think they don't understand is why it's so difficult, in some cases, to fix.