6/23/99 -

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndydb/1999/06/d5-a1bf.f23.html

Insurance firms pass Y2K testing

CHINA'S domestic insurance companies proved they could get over the Year 2000 (Y2K) problem in its first computer system test, said the industry watchdog, the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC). Lasting 24 hours over the weekend, the test on major operating computer systems used quite a large number of dates which are susceptible to the millennium bug, and found the results satisfying. The test laid a sound basis for the final solution to the Y2K problems in the insurance industry, said CIRC.

6/24/99 -

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndydb/1999/06/dc2-5fea.f24.html

Experts: Major Y2K problems identified

UNITED NATIONS (Agencies via Xinhua) _ Six months before the start of the new millennium, delegates at a UN conference said it still was impossible to predict the impact of the millennium computer problem despite the progress achieved in scores of nations.

At the same time, speakers at the two-day conference that ended on Tuesday, expressed optimism that the major problems had been identified and could be managed, at least among most of the 170 countries attending the session.

"We know we will not be totally compliant but we also know that disruptions are not likely to be major because by and large the problems have been identified," said Pakistan's UN ambassador, Ahmad Kamal, chairman of a UN working group on the Y2K problem that organized the meeting of experts.

As an example, Russia had reported that tests in its nuclear power plants would be completed by September, Kamal told a news conference. "So we will not have any unforeseen disruptions in that sector," he said.

Russian power plant officials said earlier this month they needed to replace 15,000 to 17,000 computers in the energy sector to solve the Y2K problem by October.

The Y2K millennium bug is a hazard for many computer systems that record dates using only the last two digits of the year. If left uncorrected, systems may mistake the year 2000 for 1900, causing systems to spew out incorrect data or crash.

Carlos Braga, head of the World Bank's Y2K system, said its grants and aid to developing countries indicated "a dramatic and positive" change in awareness of the bug. But there was no room for complacency because the problem was far too complicated to be solved by January 1, 2000.

"The Y2K problem is too global, too complex and too systemic to be solved on time," he told the conference, adding that more than 100 developing nations had begun Y2K programmes.

But he and other speakers said that a World Bank trust fund could not solve the problem for developing countries, which have fewer skilled people and resources, without further contributions from rich countries.

6/25/99 -

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndydb/1999/06/d4-a0bf.f25.html

Act now about Y2K

CHINA's banks and insurance companies passed their first test against Y2K computer problems last weekend.

The Y2K problem, also called the millennium bug, is expected to cause confusion in computer systems when the year 2000 begins.

All computer networks in banks, co-operatives, postal savings and domestic insurance companies suspended their operations for 24 hours starting mid-day Saturday in order to carry out Y2K checkups.

The tests on major operating computer systems used a large assortment of dates susceptible to the Y2K problems. The results were satisfying.

The test is believed to have laid a sound basis in finding an acceptable solution to the Y2K problems for domestic banks and insurance companies and it should set an example for other sectors.

In other words, the State should give the Y2K issue high priority in all economic sectors.

China has already invested 5 billion yuan (US$603 million) into solving the Y2K problem.

Because computers are widely used in China, those economic sectors, which might be less exposed to the Y2K danger than the banking system, should also take necessary precautionary measures.

Any negligence in regard to this issue could bring about unexpected Y2K-related accidents and losses.

It is time for all economic sectors to tighten their vigilance against the millennium bug and go into action now. (Qi Wen)

6/29/99 -

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndydb/1999/06/d6-a9bf.f29.html

Singapore bourse set for Year 2000

SINGAPORE _ The Stock Exchange of Singapore (SES) said yesterday it had successfully completed the testing of its trading, clearing and settlement systems for the Year 2000 (Y2K) transition. SES President Lim Choo Peng said the impact of the millennium problem on the exchange's application systems would be minimal because most were developed in recent years and were already Y2K compliant. December 31 will be a financial market holiday in Singapore. A simulated market day with mock trading and settlement will be held by the SES on January 1, a public holiday.

6/30/99 -

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndydb/1999/06/dc2-4fea.f30.html

Unclear if airlines are ready or not for Y2K

WASHINGTON (Agencies via Xinhua) _ Countries and the airlines and airports they oversee are starting to address the Year 2000 computer problem, but it won't be clear until later this summer where it will be safe and easy to travel, come the new year.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN-based group responsible for international aviation standards, asked its 185 member nations to report on their local readiness by tomorrow.

The US State Department and the Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) plan to use that data to issue travel advisories starting in mid- to late July. The two agencies are also hoping to gain an insight from the International Air Transport Association, a trade group that represents 260 international airlines. It has been conducting a private survey of airline readiness.

Because both sets of information are self-reported and won't be available for public inspection, it's unclear how reliable and useful it may be.

"It's hoped that between the two of them, we might get some kind of picture of readiness," said FAA spokesman Paul Takemoto. "The accuracy of that picture is yet to be determined."

Aviation industry analysts expect the United States and many countries in Europe and the developed areas of Asia to be ready, but the biggest problems may occur in developing nations, which were slow in committing attention and resources to the problem.

Denis Chagnon, a spokesman for ICA O, refused to say which nations have already responded to his group's survey. He explained last week: "The response was slow getting off the mark, but as people are nearing the deadline and needing information to complete their own readiness plans, I think the response will pick up."

The Year 2000, or Y2K, problem is a glitch that may cause computers to malfunction beginning January 1. Some older computers recognize years in a two-digit format, such as "00," so they may confuse 2000 with 1900.

The FAA has been criticized for its slow start in addressing the problem, but it said that all of its vital computer systems will be repaired and ready to handle the changeover by the close of business today. The agency conducted a live test of its repairs in Denver in April.

Following that test, most of the attention shifted to the readiness of domestic airports, as well as that of airlines and airfields outside the United States.

Airports around the world are seen as susceptible to Y2K problems because they are reliant on outside services, from electricity supplied by the local power company to phone service from the local provider.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), June 30, 1999

Answers

Thanks for the news OG. I know it's hardly believable by the pollys but I *am* glad to hear good news about *anybody* getting *anything* fixed.

Those folks have enough problems already.

-Greybear

-- Got Rice?

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), June 30, 1999.