>>My personal pet peeve, however, is the lack of a year 0. I think we should take 1 BC (or BCE) and make that the year 0.
So, 11 and 11/12 months later zero time has passed?
Starting at year 1 was the correct way of counting. So, on December 25, year 1 we know we are in the first year but it hasn't yet been completed. We know it hasn't yet completed by the use of the month and day. Either start at 1 or use fractional years and completely disregard the month.
You said it correctly there. We would be in the first year (a time span). The point zero would be midnight on December 31st 1 BC - January 1st 1 AD. And did you notice I said December 31st? It's not confusing not having a day zero in each month is it? So why would we need a year zero?
Counting starts at 0 (0-9, 10-19, 20-29, etc.). The calendar should start the same way. Remember, the folks at the time were not using our calendar; retroactively introducing a year 0 would have no other effect than to change, by one, all the dates prior.