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Technology Stocks : Discuss Year 2000 Issues -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: C.K. Houston who wrote (454)	11/16/1997 10:39:00 PM
From: C.K. Houston	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 9818

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR "SPIKE DATES" *Here's the "99" problem that some of you have asked me about* =============================================================== In older databases, programmers have often used the two digits "99" for purposes other than indicating the year. For example, "99" was commonly used to identify the end of the data in a file or to act as a "logic trigger" causing the computer to perform some task such as PURGING certain records. The problem is, when actual data containing a valid "99" is entered into a database, it may cause the computer to malfunction. The Year "99" Problem will produce a whole set of Y2K "Spike Dates," the first of which is January 1, 1999. On that date, the "99" Problem should, logically, reach its peak. Other dates, however, will also cause problems. There are certain dates that will be more troublesome than others as the Year 2000 Crisis develops. I call them "Spike Dates" because, if you construct a graph showing "Y2K Pain" over time, these dates can be depicted as sharp spikes on a generally rising trend line. In other words, a Spike Date is when you might expect to see an intensification of Y2K related computing problems. ....... The most obvious of these, of course, is January 1, 2000 - the Great Rollover itself. There are many other potentially problem dates as well, however .... October 1, 1999 might be a special problem because that is when the federal (USA) government makes the FISCAL YEAR (FY) transition from FY99 to FY00. The most severe Spike Date for state governments will occur on July 1, 1999, when forty-six of the fifty state governments reach the FY00 threshold. The state government of New York has the dubious distinction of being first out of the FY00 gate on April 1, 1999. ... The state governments in Alabama and Michigan will also see FY00 on October 1, 1999. The Texas State government will see this type of problem a month earlier on September 1, 1999. Y2K Problem Dates to Watch: By Jim Lord EXCERPTS ABOVE y2ktimebomb.com Jim also has a book that I recommend ($29.95). It's written for the average non-techie. Explains things in simple terms. Doesn't dwell on technical stuff. Emphasis is what to expect. How to plan for it. etc. survivey2k.com I've gotten both the book & newsletter, and am ordering books for my friends & family.