The Millenium Bug
The Y2K(year 2000) bug, also known as the millenium bug, is possibly the most widely discussed issue right now. But many folks don't really know what it's all about. Because we are now on the cusp of the new millenium, I want to help educate those of you who just don't know what all the hoopla is about.
There are two issues involved in the Y2K bug, hardware and software. What it boils down to is really simple. Most computer systems have an internal clock (hardware) which has a two figure date set on it. That means it reads the date as 99, etc. So when the year 2000 rolls around, the computer will think it's 1900. When that happens, the software (programs) we use will have no choice but to accept the date the hardware says it is.
Ok, so for the average home user it's not a big deal. Unless you are keeping important records, etc., who cares if their PC thinks it 1900? Who cares if their software has the wrong date on it? Most folks don't.
But what about all the systems that businesses use? Think about it, just about every aspect of our lives has computers in it. Our banks, power, water treatment plants, grocery stores....you name it.
For months now I have been getting inquiries from customers regarding the compliance status of the company I work for. How will it affect our processing, billing, shipping? Will we still be able to meet the demands of our customers? A valid concern.
But I have bigger concerns. The Y2K bug is based on a lot of supposition. We don't REALLY know what will happen when we wake up Jan. 1, 2000. It may not affect anything. The fixes that are in place may work beautifully. We may have been worried over nothing. But if I really thought that, I wouldn't have this page, would I? It's not that I want to be an alarmist, I don't. I merely want to be prepared.
The following site is an excellent source of information regarding both the U.S. governments status on the bug, and some potential scenarios. You will need to register as a user, but it's free. http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/reference/millennium-index.html
There is a lot of good info on Apple's home page, including some informative links and a much better description of what the Y2K bug is about. http://www.apple.com/about/year2000/
CNN has also put together some good stuff on their site, http://www.cnn.com/TECH/computing/specials/y2kbug/.
And lastly, the most alarmist, or perhaps alarming, site yet. http://www.im2k-ok.com/categrys.htm