DOMESTIC APPLIANCES What isn't affected The millinium bug only affects computer and electronic systems which include year dates in their function. so the TV, FRIDGE/FREEZER, WASHING MACHINE and most other appliances will carry on working normally so you should have nothing to worry about. WHAT MAY BE AFFECTED a small number of domestic appliance have year date functions. although the millennium bug is unlikely to stop these working completely, it may confuse some timing devices. extensive testing by manufactures and retailers has shown that the only products that may have millennium bug problems are the following: APPLIANCES WITH A YEAR FUNCTION VIDEO RECORDERS. most machines will not be affected because they have been pre-programmed to recognise the year 2000. the few that may be affected will work normally when controlled manually. the only problem could be with time-recorded programmes as they may not recognise the year change. you can probably fix this by resetting the date manually. for precise instructions on how to do this check manualy. VIDEO TESTING TIP here's how to test whether your video recorder has been programmed to recognise the year 2000. set date and time to 31/12/1999 at 23:58. after two minutes, the date should change to 01/01/2000 at 00:00. if this happens, your video should have no problems. if it fails, contact the manufacturer or the retailer you bought if from. repeat the same test to check that your video passes from the 28th to the 29th february 2000. FICTION "your microwave won't work in the year 2000 because of the millennium bug". FACT you can probably programme your microwave to cook tomorrow's dinner but you could never programme your microwave it to cook a meal next year. that's because microwaves don't have a "year" function which means the date change won't affect them. OTHER APPLIANCES most fax machines will recognise the year 2000. if not, they will still work but may display the wrong date. you should be able to correct this manually. re-setting other appliances with the year date functions such as cameras,camcorders,videophones and watches should also beee straightforward and you can find details on how to do this in the instruction manuals. most burglar alarms are unlikely to be affected as the majority stores dates by day and month only, so there is no year date to go wrong. if yours does have a year date, or if you are unsure, check with your maintenance company or contact NACOSS on the telephone number below. communal buildings if you live in a buildingg where you share alarms,lifts.entry systems,heating or lighting, these are unlikely to be affected. but as they are more complex than individual home systems, ask for assurances from building maintenance personnel or the owners that everything has been checked. FURTHER INFORMATION if you have any millennium bug problems with an appliance in the home, contact the manufacturer or the shop where you bought it. if you have problems with goods or services, the consummer's association web site .....

-- Graham hyslop (Bob@ghoward-oxley.demon.co.uk), June 13, 1999

Answers

Oooohhohohohhahaha. "if your appliance fails, contact the manufacturer" eeeeeeeehhhooooo "get ahold of their *web-site* OH MY GOD, bwwwwAAAAAAAAAAAAHahahaha! This thing belongs on Comedy Central!! It's almost as funny as South Park...Cartman, "you will respect my athoritay" whewwww. Who wrote this stuff anyway....Mr. Garrison? NO, NO, it must have been....Mr. Hanky, the Christmas Poo! HOOOOHAHAHA. (there is no doubt in my mind, that I have just lost every intellectual on this site....zoom)

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), June 13, 1999.

This is a genuine Government Publication distributed through the national sunday paper the "Sunday express." 13 6 1999.

This is not a Joke.

-- Graham hyslop (Bob@ghoward-oxley.demon.co.uk), June 13, 1999.

I realize that, Graham. You've just made my point for me. With the potential catastrophe of Y2K "looming" on our horizon....our Government...upon whom every American is depending upon, has chosen to warn us all about potential disruptions in our "microwaves and VCRs". I personally don't think it's funny one -bleep-ing bit..how 'bout you? It's so blatantly *stupid* that if I don't find the -bleep- ing humor in it....I may be forced to hurt someone. Can you understand this????????? The world's banking system is teetering on the brink. The world's food systems are in jeopardy. The list is endless, Graham. Once more, this happens to be *JUNE 1999* and my government is telling people to check with the manufacturer of their God Blessed toasters!!!!! NOW, don't you think that's just a SCREAM???

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), June 14, 1999.

Where did Flint go for cryin' out loud? I *need* to twist something damp and limp!!!!

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), June 14, 1999.