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.

Politics : Formerly About Applied Materials -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ingenious who wrote (25183)	10/11/1998 9:42:00 PM
From: Fortinwit	Respond to of 70976

* OT * Y2K: To attribute the purchase of new hardware to Y2K is completely illogical. False. Think overall IS budgets. Believe me, there is not going to be a lot of room in FY99 and FY00 in the Fortune 500 for line items apart from Y2K. Solving the Y2K issue should not be about hardware but software. False. One of the world's largest semi manufacturers has a large Y2k problem because they're running their factories on old old old mainframes. Their only solution, since they don't have the $$$ to replace them, and since the system clocks won't go past 99, is to set the clocks back next year to a previous year that matches 99, 00, and 01 to the day. Now why these systems can support system dates prior to their manufacture is a topic for a PHd thesis. F. PS: Why is SI getting so flakey lately???

To: Ingenious who wrote (25183)	10/11/1998 9:58:00 PM
From: Mike Maxton	Respond to of 70976

While it's true that Y2k issues are about how software handles 2 digit years, much of this software is embedded in chips and systems. Hardware is affected and is being replaced due to this issue. You have outdated BIOS firmware that can't be patched. Older mini-computers and ancient main frames are being replaced with modern systems. Our corporation has replaced numerous office systems due to Y2K compliancy issues. Systems on the work room floors have (or will be ) replaced as it is cheaper and more timely to buy new hardware than to attempt to find the non-compliant firmware and burn new chips to update. Hardware is definitely being bought due to the coming century. mike maxton