The Year 2000 Computer Problem Y2K INDEX of TOPICS: Overview Year 2K Compliance We will get it fixed in time, won't we? What's the Rush? Countdown to the Year 2000. Consumer Preparedness Thoughts Isn't anybody safe? I thought my computer company was a good one. Do you know a good lawyer? Where else can you look for help? Inside the CLUB 2000 site.

WE WILL GET IT FIXED IN TIME, WON'T WE?
The Information Technology Association of America found that 44 percent of US companies that they pooled have ALREADY experienced some Y2K failures (as reported in WIRED magazine - August 1998.) They also reported that the Gartner Group has estimated that 20-30 percent of the firms nationwide haven't even started preparing for the Y2K. This affects everyone, since many of today's technology microchips have embedded in them critical data or time related information that helps them function. An example of this is a microwave oven. While that may not be disastrous (except to the stew you were planning on having for dinner on January 1st, 2000), it could impact things such as ATM machines, automobiles, street lights, power plants or medical equipment. According to Thomas B. Shope, the head of the FDA's electronics and computer science unit, medical equipment often has embedded chips that keep track of how long it has been since it was last serviced. If these are not Y2K ready, then it could easily trigger equipment failure and potentially pose a health risk.

In an article in Small Business Computing and Communications - June 1998, they stated that the threat of massive power or telecommunications failure is high in many countries and that for Third World countries, "the risk that the banking system and air traffic control systems can malfunction is especially high." Many of today's cars have embedded chips in the engines that track when service is needed and a multitude of other functions.

England should be applauded for it's efforts. The government has set aside 30 million pounds for business centers throughout the nation to train and assist small business owners with potential Y2K problems.

The U.S. Government plans on spending roughly $2 billion dollars to get the federal government computer systems ready for the year 2000. The Small Business Administration has been working to assist small enterprises in their efforts to get ready. They have specifically devoted a section of SBA Web Site (www.sba.gov) to it.

DHL Worldwide Express set aside $25 million to find a fix for the Year 2000 problem. They started their research of it back in 1996 and began the corrections in 1997. They have over 25,000 networked users in 227 countries. This is a perfect example of a company planning ahead and seeing it as an investment in the viability of their company. Another company that is investing close to $200 million dollars because "This will just enable us to stay in business." is Merrill Lynch who recognizes that the return on investment is zero, even though they have an 80 member team working 24 hours a day to make sure their computers are "bug-free".

The U.S. Government and may large organizations are starting to identify what are referred to as "mission critical" systems, that if they are not corrected, serious consequences may follow. This will allow programmers to focus on the most important areas first. Our "Date with Destiny" has a deadline that can't be moved. Many people fear that countries like Russia and some European countries are being too complacent in acting on this. The effects will probably rebound as suppliers and workers in other countries begin feeling the negative effects of computer breakdowns. Even if less that 5% of the world experiences a shutdown, the consequences of this could take years to correct and put hundreds of thousands of people out of work.