Template parameters
Defiantly date= is the way to go.  The templates can be made temporarily to support both, and I have a technique for seguing from one to the other.  Historically there was a mish-mash and even I, at that time, working with them on a daily basis, couldn't always remember which was which.  Also SmackBot a can add date= if I set it up properly. (It used to add or remove as appropriate - well I think there are still a few cases where it removes.)  Farmbrough, 13:43 1 June 2007 (GMT).
P.S. I work by evolution, run the Bot and see what's not been fixed, sharpen up the reg-exes, and repeat (with the occaisional re-factor), so I will catch most things in time.  Farmbrough, 13:43 1 June 2007 (GMT).