Has anybody started to build up an early warning system with contacts from the first new year countries? And how do you plan to distribute this information- TV (what channels?) mail lists? or different web pages? Please let me know on this subject.

-- Annika Fagerberg (annika.fagerberg@rem.ericsson.se), July 15, 1999

Answers

Hi Annika

I live in new Zealand, as you can see from the E-mail address.

New Zealand is the first major population center on the planet to experience the possible effects of Y2k transition. I have agreed to post to this forum on a six hourly basis over the period of 24 hours from 31/12/1999 to 1/1/2000. And I will probably report on events in New Zealand as and when matters come to attention during the first weeksa of the new millennium if at all possible.

I know there are inter government arrangements to do similar sorts of communications. However, this is very much a people's forum and I will be posting in that spirit.

Rgds to all, BobB

-- Bob Barbour (r.barbour@waikato.ac.nz), July 15, 1999.

Annika,

Here's a site you may find interesting: Zone 2000

They also have a link to PoliceScanner.com where you can listen to live communications of Police, Fire, Rail & Aviation (it's at the bottom of the page). Here's a description Zone 2000 from the site itself:

By December 31st of 1999 Zone 2000 will have people in each of the 24 time zones around the world. They will be online and sending us reports of what's happening as a result of the year 2000 rollover in their part of the planet. With the gracious help of our volunteers we will offer you a timely picture of the post Y2K state of our world . Shortly after local midnight some areas of the world may suffer power outages or other infrastructure failures. Other areas may experience civil unrest or other troubles. Still others may suffer no more than a little too much partying. Whatever the result, we will keep you advised from the fingertips of actual citizens in these places.

-- Ready & Waiting (not@home.com1), July 15, 1999.

Annika -

Zone 2000 is a neat set up to be able to watch.

My understanding is that CNN will have news crews around the world set up to follow the line as it goes around the world. They are supposed to be set up in all the major populations centers such as Aukland, Sidney, moving on to Tokyo and Hong Kong, India, Moscow, etc. around the world. Some of the agencies on the west coast are referring to this as the "17 hour" window. In Seattle, Emergency Preparedness will supposedly be watching CNN and if they see problems starting to occur, they will start calling in the "troops" so they are in place before the event happens here. It will be intersting!

-- Valkyrie (anon@please.net), July 15, 1999.

"I live in new Zealand, ................New Zealand is the first major population center on the planet to experience the possible effects of Y2k transition. I have agreed to post to this forum on a six hourly basis over the period of 24hours from 31/12/1999 to 1/1/2000."

-- Bob Barbour (r.barbour@waikato.ac.nz), July 15, 1999.

Thanks Bob,

BTW do you have any backup plan in the event your phone system is inoperatable or swamped? Maybe a shortwave? Some of the regulars here are SW operators, maybe you could relay your findings thru them if need be.

-- Mike (midwestmike_@hotmail.com), July 15, 1999.

Yeah, I'm trying to figure out how we're going to get reports if electricity or phones go out. Whether it's television or internet, it seems like we would just lose communication. It's hard to judge what's happening from a lack of a report.

-- Dog Gone (layinglow@rollover.now), July 15, 1999.

There are a number of ham radio "nets" that will be talking around the world on the 31st and first. Many, if not most, of these stations have emergency power, so they will be able to communicate even if the grid is down where they live. I recommend that you find a local ham and ask him to let you know what's going on. Better still, become one yourself; then you'll be the informed one that everyone will want to know.

-- Steve Heller (stheller@koyote.com), July 15, 1999.

If grid power is down, I will have solar. We expect the phone systems to last 48 hours without grid power.

Beyond that, HAM radio seems one alternative as does satelite phones such as Iridium Systems.

New Zealand Newspapers may post to the Web also. Check out NZHerald.co.nz

-- Bob Barbour (r.barbour@waikato.ac.nz), July 18, 1999.

I am in the midst of setting up a dynamic chat (moderated) room that will be open from December 15 - January 15 specifically to discuss the problems and/or successes as they occur starting in New Zealand.

I have arranged for various IT/Y2K experts around the world to contribute their comments live to the board.

There will be a small access fee, probably around $10-20 US. The ISP I am dealing with has mirrored sites that will be used.

I think this will be a valuable tool. Drop me a note if you want more information or if you want to sign up.

John Saunders jsaund@idirect.com Toronto, Ontario

-- John Saunders (jsaund@idirect.com), July 21, 1999.