For Educational/Research

Now this is interesting. CNet put out one of the most optimistic articles

 CNET Features - Digital Life - 8 myths about the millennium bug Sept 97 (See side links)

And this memorable Quote

"but nobody from the utility expects Y2K to have any effect on the distribution of power. "To try and tie the flow of power into the year 2000 effort is pure speculation," says Leonard Anderson, a spokesperson who has worked closely with the utility's Y2K team. "Most power is routed manually. Much is being controlled by systems themselves--if equipment on the lines detects an overload, they'll automatically shut down to protect the system."

Now this is the latest disclosure from CNet

A memorable Quote from this document

"To mitigate this risk, we have established a formal year 2000
program to oversee and coordinate the assessment, remediation, testing
and reporting activities related to this issue. We are currently in
the assessment phase of its year 2000 program."

What planet are these folks from???? They were aware of it 2 years ago and now are at the assessment phase????

These guys have the CSY2K newsgroup as a link. Obviously never read the material.
 
 

 http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1015577/0001015577-99-000026.txt

Year 2000 Compliance

        We are aware of the issues associated with the programming code
and embedded technology in existing systems as the year 2000 approaches.
The "Year 2000 Issue" arises from the potential for computers to fail or
operate incorrectly because their programs incorrectly interpret the two
digit date fields "00" as 1900 or some other year, rather than the year
2000.  The year 2000 issue creates risk for us from unforeseen problems
in our computer systems and from third parties, including our customers,
vendors and manufacturers.  Failures of our and/or third parties'
computer systems could result in an interruption in, or a failure of,
our normal business activities or operations.  Such failures could
materially and adversely affect our business prospects, financial
condition and operating results.

        To mitigate this risk, we have established a formal year 2000
program to oversee and coordinate the assessment, remediation, testing
and reporting activities related to this issue. We are currently in
the assessment phase of its year 2000 program.  As part of this
assessment, we will review the following systems to determine if they
are year 2000 compliant:

        * our application systems (financial systems, various custom-
          developed business applications)

        * technology infrastructure (networks, servers, desktop
          equipment)

        * facilities (security systems, fire alarm systems)

        * vendors/partners and products.

This review will include:

        * the collection of documentation from software and hardware
          manufacturers

        * the detailed review of programming code for custom applications

        * the physical testing of desktop equipment using software
          designed to test for year 2000 compliance

        * the examination of key vendors'/partners' year 2000 programs

        * the ongoing testing of our products as part of normal quality
          assurance activities.

        We anticipate that we will complete the assessment and
remediation phase and begin the testing phase of our year 2000 program
by the third quarter of 1999.  We have not made estimates for the costs
associated with completing our year 2000 program, but will do so after
completion of the assessment phase of the project.  Costs incurred to
date, including costs of personnel, have not been material.  We can
offer no assurance that we will not experience serious unanticipated
negative consequences and/or additional material costs caused by
undetected errors or defects in the technology used in our internal
systems, or by failures of our vendors/partners to address their year
2000 issues in a timely and effective manner.

        Should miscalculations or other operational errors occur as a
result of the year 2000 issue, we or the parties on which we depend may
be unable to produce reliable information or to process routine
transactions. Furthermore, in the worst case, we or the parties on
which we depend may be incapable of conducting critical business
activities which include, but are not limited to, the production and
delivery of our Internet channels, invoicing customers and paying
vendors, which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
prospects, financial condition and operating results.

-- Brian (imager@home.com), August 17, 1999

Answers

I'll bet CNET has carried stories about how Y2K power experts think there will be terrible blackouts in FOREIGN COUNTRIES since that silly piece was done in Sep 1997. Yes, its amazing how long it actually took for many places to even take Y2K seriously. But once they did, however, you just KNOW that they went right at it, and no matter when they started nor how much they had to do, they WILL be ready by Jan 1. LOL!

-- King of Spain (madrid@aol.com), August 17, 1999.

I've never had a high opinion of CNet. You rely on their news when there's so many better sources available, and you deserve what you get ;)

Leo

-- Leo (lchampion@ozemail.com.au), August 17, 1999.

Cnet is still amoung the more "polly" sources on the net. I believe shareware.com is one of their spinoffs and that is a great site so it isn't a total loss. Just wonder if it is going to operate after Y2K

-- Brian (imager@home.com), August 18, 1999.