The Y2K bug-- well actually it is major world problem that will cost 300 to 600 billion dollars to fix. Is it your problem? You bet your computer bug. However, all is not as bad as it seems. Yet, we should all be prepared and the first step to take is to be informed.

The bug comes from outdated hardware and software formats that denote the year in a two-digit format--"99". When computers were the size of an entire room in the 60s and 70s space was a major issue. Programmers manage to save space in the date, hence the "mm-dd-yy" format. Some computers will see the digits "00" and believe we have gone back 100 years to 1900. For other systems the computers interpret "00" as an interrupt mode and will either shut down or compute improper data. all major systems will be affected if not fixed. So even if you've never pounded the keys on a keyboard you will be affected. Thus our preparation begins.

The US government has set up a web site and a toll free number to address the Y2K problem. Log on to their web site to follow a list of links to answer your questions on who is ready and who is not. Or you could call 1-888-USA-4-Y2K operators will answer your questions from 9am to 8pm or you can hear an automated update 24 hours a day.

On the government web site a link will take you take an image map of the United States. Use this map to link directly to your states progress on Y2k. These sites are filled with several links full of helpful information and chat forums so you can voice your concerns and solutions.

The US government reports (as of June 27,1999) that 90% of their mission critical systems are Y2K complaint and fill confident all systems will be ready January 1, 2000.In the event of a systems failure all government offices have implements backup plans to continue operation.

Banks are working around the clock to bring their systems to full compliance by June 30,1999. You can check with your local bank to find out what they are doing about the problem. Make sure you are banking with a bank that will be fully prepared.

The government is also working with banks to assure compliance. You can visit their web site for more details.As of June 27, 1999 Banks still fill confident they will meet the June 30th deadline. Many banks will probably send updates of their progress in your monthly statement. Some have posted signs on their windows with either a number to call for more information or stated that they are already Y2K complaint. All banks are required to implement backup plans in case of a systems failure. There will be no need to have large amounts of cash on hand.

Personal computer's if bought after mid 1997 should not be affected by Y2K. If your system was purchased before that date you can check with the computers web site to see if your system is at risk and if so how to fix it. You can also visit MITRE web site to follow several links pertaining to the Y2K personal computing problem. There are several diagnostic programs you can purchase to evaluate your PC. I have tried Norton and Mcafee both are good. If you have a problem with the date roll over on your PC just reboot after January 1, 2000 then change the date. If the problem is not solved change the date on your PC to January 1, 1978. That way the leapyears and time changes will match up.

The government is working close with the small business administration to insure smooth sailing January 1, 2000. You can visit their site at http://www.sba.gov/y2k/ or call 1-877-ruy2k-ok.

If you travel frequently by air you may need to make sure airline travel will not be interrupted. The government has set a goal to have the system fully complaint by June 30, 1999. To follow their progress visit their web site.

As of June 27, 1999 the FAA reports that 97% of mission and non-mission critical systems are compliant. 97% of mission critical systems are compliant, 93% of mission critical systems that require repair are completed. 97% of non-mission critical systems that require repair are completed.

Federal Aviation Administrator Jane Garvey and the FAA's Y2K Program Office Director Ray Long will fly coast to coast during the date roll over to prove the safety of the airways. They will be flying American Airlines flight #1799 which will stop over, briefly, in Dallas TX. Their flight will then resume on American Airlines flight #1435.

Consumers are assured that the GPS satellites will neither be affected by the EOW or by Y2K. However Consumers are cautioned that their own personal units may be affected by the two critical dates.

EOW (End Of Week) occurs every 20 years. Midnight August 21, 1999 this process may cause personal GPS systems to malfunction.

The same for Y2K. The unit may be unable to locate the satellites.

It may take more time than usual for the unit to acquire a signal. Or most dangerous the unit may appear to be working fine but is actually display inaccurate data.

It is recommended you contact the manufacture of your unit. You can also call the government 888 number for a list of manufactures and ways to contact them or follow this linkto obtain a list online.

Visit the government web site to see the progress beginning on the telecommunications Y2K problem. . Companies assure consumers that only minor outages will temporarily result. Contact your local service provider to assure that something is going to be done about the bug. Visit the major telecommunications web sites:AT&T, MCI, and Bellsouth. Check with your cable providers, emergency numbers, wireless communications, and internet providers.

Power companies report that they are now 50% ready. The companies assure the public that they are endeavoring to bring the rest of the systems up to date. They project only minor outages for the year 2000, which the companies are ready to deal with. Prepare for these outages just as you do for the winter months or other natural disasters. Keep bottled water, canned food, candles, first aid kit and a small battery operated radio on hand. For more information visit http://www.nerc.com/~y2k/ Check with your local power company to make sure they will be ready.

As of June 27,1999 75% of their systems are Y2K complaint. The US department of energy still assures the public that power companies will be Y2K complaint by the date change. It is recommended that you have a three day supply of non-perishable food items and water on hand. It is also recommended you have no less than 1/2 tank of gas in your vehicle.

The USDA projects that american food service will not be interrupted and all system are complaint. The USDA warns, however, that most foreign countries are not ready, therefore imports will be affected. The USDA also has several other concerns out of seven mission areas 362 systems are critical. After a through assessment three major areas gained top priority.

* Economic repercussions

* Financial Impact

If you receive any food assistance USDA loans, or crop insurance your individual financial security could be adversely affected.

Health and Safety Risk

The USDA is concerned about food safety, disease management and physical safety of USDA employees.

Follow their progress on their web site .

As of June 27, 1999 most supermarket chains report that they are ready for the year 2000. It is also reported that in the event of an emergency each store is required to have five weeks inventory of non-perishable food in stock.

I also suggest that you check with local school systems, pharmacies, hospitals, your work place and personal payroll to make sure they are preparing for the year 2000. If volunteers are needed help out, after all this problem is world wide.*

On the home front predictions of major appliance failure is unfounded. According to a Washington Post survey of major appliance and consumer electronics manufacturers of household appliances and consumer electronics. Appliances that have programmable clocks that allow a consumer to start them automatically will not be affected because they do not keep track of the month day and year.

Some devices such as camcorders, VCRs, faxes, and pagers have internal calendars. A small percentage of these electronic devices will not recognize 2000. Therefore repairs will have to be made. Still in most cases the device should continue to function.

Climate Control and Air Conditioners The programmable thermostats found in most homes will not have any problems. The officials from Honeywell, Emerson Electric Co. and Carrier Corp. maintain that even controls that keep track of the time work on a weekly cycle rather than the annual cycle. Panasonic, Friedrich Air Conditionng Co., and Whirlpool report no problems with window-unit air conditions.

Automobiles: "The Big Three"-General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Corp. report that none of their cars or pickup trucks have date related problems. Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp. report no problems either. Vehicles manufactured in the last decade have at least on microprocessor under the hood. These chips generally rely on mileage and ignition not dates.

Camcorders-made before 1990 will operate even if the clock used to record dates malfunction . The clock will probably only need resetting.

Cameras- built by Canon, Nikon and Kodak will continue to function without interruption. Most cameras operate on a 25 year calendar.

Cellular- phones will operate, however, cellular service providers are working to debug their systems check with your provider. In my phone a programming change had to be made. Check with your provider.

Digital Clock and Watches- use a built-in mathematical formula to calculate the day of the week and number of days in a month, therefore they should continue to run 01-01-2000, according to Timex Corp. and Casio inc.

Coffee Makers- Black & Decker, Norelco Consumer Products Co., and Mr. Coffee say their products will not experience any problems. Although these products keep track of the time they do not keep track of the date.

Dishwashers- the same holds true for dishwashers with an automatic timer. These devices do not keep track of the date.

Fax machines- Machines made before 1990 will need to be reset. Contact the manufacturer .

Home Security- Honeywell and ADT security Services Inc. report that home systems should be problem free. Some office security systems will require Y2K software repairs

Microwaves-will be problem-free

Ovens- same as microwaves.

Pagers- by Panasonic and NEC should not have any problems. Motorola reports that " certain Motorola Pager Products shall require upgrades to be Year 2000 ready." The telecommunications networks are still working to bring their systems into full compliance. Check with your pager service.

Refrigerators and Freezers- created to prevent frost build up activate based on the frost not the date. Therefore there should be no problem.

Telephones- Ordinary phones will not be affected. Phones set with clocks (usually found in offices) will need a software upgrade.Contact the manufacturer.

Televisions will not black out when the ball drops so you can continue to rock in the New Year.

VCRs- in some cases will require you to manually rest the clock in January 2000. Older models should be trouble-free, they generally run on 14 day calendars. Newer models have Y2K compliant calendars. Music disk players should have no problems.

Washing Machines and Dryers- will function as usual.

The year 2000 problem is serious. Efforts are being made to avoid serious problems. We can all help, make sure your community is making every effort to be fully functional on January 1, 2000. Use your head and keep informed. The Time is near not the End.