The Y2K Clock Is Ticking
Posting
The Y2K Clock Is Ticking... Are You Ready?
Pennsylvania a National Leader in Y2K Readiness.
by
Dr. Fred Loomis, Executive Director, Pa2K Educational Outreach, The
Pennsylvania State University
Fewer than 130 days remain until the dawning of the years 2000. By now
youąve heard that the change from 1999 to 2000 may create some problems
for society because of what has come to be known as łThe Y2K Millennium
Bug.˛
While this łbug˛ is seen primarily as a computer problem, it actually goes
well beyond computers. In fact, the Y2K situation has the potential to
disrupt businesses, health care systems, local, state and federal
governments, and utilities, among many other things.
Because no one knows for sure how computers, networks, vital machines and
systems are going to react when we move in the new year, the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania has been encouraging its citizens to take precautions and
to prepare in case there are disruptions in services, however minor they
may be.
By now, most everyone knows the Y2K problem was born many years ago when
programmers decided to save money and computer memory by expressing dates
with two digit years. You probably do this yourself often. When you write
a check, your dates probably look like this:
08/31/99?
The computer systems, networks, personal computers and embedded computer
chips which see dates with two-digit years may become confused when the
clock strikes 12:01 a.m. 2000. Why? Simple. They will not be able to
distinguish between the years 1900 and 2000. That confusion may lead
system failures, corrupted data, lost data, or improper calculations.
Complicating matters are the computer chips that are the computer chips
that are embedded built into many of the modern conveniences, tools
and machines we all use and depend upon. Believe it or not, things from
elevators to fax machines, copiers, telephones, air conditioning systems,
and automatic teller machines depend upon chips that may not operate
properly when we enter the new year.
A great deal has been written about this situation. Some alarmists see
potential disaster in the Y2K bug. On the other hand, many other writers
and public speakers dismiss the situation entirely. Many individuals would
prefer to ignore the Y2K bug and hope for the best in the new year.
Neither of these options is the prudent choice for responding to Y2K.
Thatąs why the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, through its Office of
Information Technology, has been working for the past few years to ensure
that essential systems in our state operate the way they need to on
January 1, 2000. Together with the Government of Canada, AT&T, and The
Pennsylvania State University, the stateąs leaders have been working to
help Pennsylvania citizens, local governments, and businesses prepare for
Y2K . The goal is to minimize any negative impact that the turn of the
clock may bring. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring that we
experience the least disruption possible.
The Commonwealth and its partners have created a wealth of materials and
information that you can use to prepare for Y2K. Whether youąre a business
person seeking to maintain a smooth operation through the new year, a
local official who wants to help his community take responsible action to
get ready for 2000, or a consumer who would like the latest information on
dealing with this situation, you will find what you need on the Pa2K
website.
You can access the site at: http://www.pa2k.org. If you are not able to
visit the web site, you can call, toll free, 1-877-PA2K-NOW, or
1-877-722-5669.
Next time, weąll pay a visit to the Pa2K website. When it comes to Y2K,
thereąs still time to act responsible to protect your family, business,
and community.
The OldTimer
Posting wrote in message ...
I certainly hope this is not going to be as bad as that end of the world
eclipse we just went through. Whew! That was a real booger.
X-No-Archive: Yes
By God, he worked his ass off for it
and I don't care what anybody says,
it belongs to me!
The GIMMIECRAT creed.
The OldTimer