To Sprit:
Given the delays of this buy, and the lack of transparency, I think it's critical that the 2nd point be resolved to make everyone a bit more calm. I understanding that responding to every email/PM is difficult, but more transparency is critical at this point.
I propose an open spreadsheet on Google Docs, with all the names of the R1 buyers, with an indicator whether their order has shipped or not. I think this would go a long way into giving buyers a sense of where they're at. Personally, I think this is a very reasonable request, and I've seen it done in other group buy's with great effect. People just want to know their status at this point, and understand the size and scope of where this GB is right now.