Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : TAVA Technologies (TAVA-NASDAQ) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: John Mansfield who wrote (7743)	12/22/1997 4:04:00 PM
From: wlheatmoon	Respond to of 31646

Starting the last countdown for warrants? Day 1. Nice close today at 6 1/2. Beautiful. Hope ya'll have a great holiday. MChen

To: John Mansfield who wrote (7743)	12/22/1997 8:01:00 PM
From: JF Quinnelly	Respond to of 31646

Here's some of what Yardeni has to say that is pertinent to Topro: yardeni.com I. Embedded Chips: Invasion Of The Body Snatchers Stress Test? Contents Most news stories about Y2K focus on "legacy" mainframe computer systems. With a great deal of effort and expense, these can be repaired or replaced. However, the biggest and most widespread disruptions might be caused by a far tougher Y2K problem to fix, namely, embedded systems that are not Y2K compliant. There are billions of embedded systems all over the planet. First the good news: Most are not date sensitive. But, some are, and no one can tell where they all are and how many of them might fail. All I know for sure is that they will be stress tested on January 1, 2000. This is one reason why I am certain that there will be Y2K disruptions, but uncertain about the magnitude of the trouble ahead. What Are They? According to the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE), embedded systems are devices used to control, monitor or assist the operation of equipment, machinery or plant ["The Millennium Problem In Embedded Chips"]. "Embedded" means they are an integral part of the system. Consequently, a casual observer won't see them and even a skilled technician might need to examine the operation of a piece of equipment for some time before concluding that an embedded control device is in there. All embedded systems are computers. Some of them are very simple devices compared to a PC. The simplest devices consist of a single microprocessor chip which may itself be packaged with other chips in a hybrid or Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). Its input comes from a detector or sensor and its output goes to a switch or activator, which, for example, may start or stop the operation of a machine or may control the flow of fuel to an engine by operating a valve. Where Are They? They are everywhere. The linked table is a long, but not an exhaustive list prepared by the IEE of all the places these little gizmos reside. They are in elevators, traffic lights, and cars. The ones that are really worrisome are embedded in industrial, utility, telecommunication, medical, navigation, and military systems. Can They Be Fixed? The thought of fixing/repairing/replacing embedded systems can make your head spin. First, you have to find them and determine if they have a Y2K problem. Engineers have reported finding chips performing the same function in identical equipment, yet some are Y2K compliant and others are not. Replacing embedded chips isn't easy. Some are customized and hard to duplicate. The manufacturers of some are out of business or have been acquired by other companies that do not intend to upgrade an "out-of-print" chip. Replacing chips older than three years is almost impossible because they have a short technical life span. When Might They Fail? In embedded systems, the concern is often with intervals rather than with specific dates. An event might need to occur at 100-day intervals rather than on the 5th day of each month. This implies that Y2K problems may occur both before and for some time after January 1, 2000 and not at all on the date itself. On the other hand, there is a possibility that devices with cycles that are measured in hours, and minutes (or even seconds) may be affected by the problem because year numbers are the basis of time calculations. In such systems, the failure may not occur on the stroke of midnight but during the following 24 hours.

To: John Mansfield who wrote (7743)	12/25/1997 4:55:00 PM
From: John Mansfield	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 31646

Y2K certification by the ITAA 'And now for something different': Found this at the ITAA; thanks to a post on the SIM site. (http://www.year2000.unt.edu/wcs-bin/wcs?read_since:Year2000:... Thanks to Bill Williams!). ITAA has been mentioned before on SI; but I have not seen any refence to their certification program (maybe I missed it). This made me think of the TPRO/ AON alliance. Would be nice to have a similar 'TPRO/AON' certified company site in the future, ;-). The coming year we may see many companies hurrying to become Y2K certified. Who can do it for factories!? Any thoughts? Regards, John --- itaa.org 'About The ITAA2000 Certification Program The ITAA2000 Certification Program provides information technology companies with the opportunity to have a neutral, objective third-party evaluation of their Year 2000 processes and methods. Such "processes and methods" could be those used to develop Year 2000 software products or services. They could also be used to create any software products or services, not just those used to perform Year 2000 software conversions. In certain situations, the information systems organizations of private sector companies and government agencies may also wish to assess their Year 2000 conversion activities. ' ---- Directory Contains 51 Companies: itaa.org Some of these 51 co's are: '... IBM AS/400 Division IBM GermanyIBM RS/6000 Division IBM S/390 Division IBM S/390 Division IBM TPF Organization ...' ---- itaa.org 'Who Should Apply For Certification? Receiving certification will be of immediate interest to four types of companies: Year 2000 software providers Year 2000 services providers Product software developers (systems and applications) Custom software developers and systems integrators Additionally, the program should also interest organizations/companies that heavily depend on information technology (eg: financial institutions). ' --- itaa.org 'Remarks of Harris N. Miller President, Information Technology Association of America at ITAA2000 Certification Program Press Conference October 1, 1996 Good morning and thank you for joining us here today. I am Harris Miller, President of the Information Technology Association of America, representing 9000 information technology companies across the country. It's my pleasure to announce that ITAA, in conjunction with the Software Productivity Consortium of Herndon, VA, has developed the first industry based certification program to address the Year 2000 issue. I want to give you the details about this exciting new program and answer any questions you have. Before I get started, I would like to introduce our guests this morning. Rep. Tom Davis* is one of a handful of leaders on Capitol Hill from whom we have heard early and often on this critical issue. In Tom's case, that is not surprising. He is also one of a small group of truly techno-savvy representatives in Congress. Prior to seeking elective office, Tom worked in the information technology industry. So he comes by his special understanding of computers, systems and software the old fashion way he earned it. Rep. Connie Morella chairs the House Science Committee's Subcommittee on Technology. The leadership she has demonstrated and the Year 2000 hearings that her subcommittee has held have pushed this issue dramatically forward. Tom and Connie, thank you for joining us this morning. I would like to offer you both an opportunity to say a few words ...'