All - thanks for comments to Noone Knows? What I realized is that the one event that will probably give us the best guess as to what might happen 1/1/2000 is the GPS rollover this weekend. I plan to watch that closely.

Liz

-- Liz Conti (Liz.Conti@pharma.com), August 18, 1999

Answers

As will I Liz. I'll be watching with one hand clasping a mug of dark at McSorley's Old Ale House in NYC. If you are in the area please join us.

howe9@pop.shentel.net), August 18, 1999.

Liz,

I disagree that the GPS rollover will provide a guess regarding the rollover. The systemic nature of Y2K that will effect more of our infrastructure generates far greater negative possibilities than GPS. I am hoping against all hope that neither with a meltdown to end all meltdowns. And yes we DO KNOW... That's why we're on this forum.

-- PJC (paulchri@msn.com), August 18, 1999.

As I understand it the potential magnitude for problems stemming from Y2k (and rushed remediation) is vast when compared to the potential problems from the gps rollover. GPS is very important but clearly defined and manufacturers are able to give lists of affected equipment. Maybe I am over simplifying the GPS situation but a smooth GPS rollover will in no way influence my desire to watch the Y2k rollover closely. I really look forward to this being over. I plan to always be "stocked up" but really dislike having this date looming....... Hoping, hoping, hoping, hoping, hoping for a BITR.

-- Kristi (securxsys@cs.com), August 18, 1999.

Kristi:

You're exactly right. GPS rollover is SO much smaller (numberwise) and as you said, clearly defined and fixable.

Only concern for me is that IF "we" can't handle even the GPS rollover with only very minor problems, Y2K will definitely fullfill all of the worst predictions of the "doomers".

If it is "handled", small comfort --- maybe I'd buy 5 gallons less of gasoline and 1 less can of beans, but thats about it. The rollover really should cause few significant problems --- except prolong the denial of the "masses".

-- Jon Johnson (narnia4@usa.net), August 18, 1999.

On First Union's online banking page today, there is a notice saying they will not be able to access credit accounts on Aug 22 & 23 due to "system updates"

-- Sheila (sross@bconnex.net), August 18, 1999.

The y2k wackos are backing away from this one as fast as they can. Not too long ago, it was supposed to be a disaster, now it's just a little thing. Seems to me the wackos are losing the courage of their convictions. Theoretically, it's also possible they're finally coming to their senses, but I find it easy to dismiss that possibility.

-- weare (laughing@you.com), August 18, 1999.

If the GPS rollover passes without significant event, it will say that not every potential problem becomes an actual problem.

If the GPS rollover leads to major, if not catastrophic, problems, it will say that just because a potential problem does not have a 100% probability of occuring, that doesn't mean it should be ignored.

The thing that is of greatest interest to me is, will the appropriate parties pay attention to the message?

-- Bokonon (bok0non@my-Deja.com), August 18, 1999.

Liz: Do you like to mudwrestle?

-- King of Spain (madrid@aol.com), August 18, 1999.

The GPS rollover will probably see a few (more than usual) boaters temporarily lost. My concern is more with those imbedded GPS application where the GPS signal is used for timing. These include power generation, banking, telecommunications, etc. These could be a precurser to Y2K problems. If saturday night is a BITR, it still doesn't indicate that Y2K will be...but if the rollover does not go smoothly, it could lead one to believe that more substantial preparations are warranted (which most of us have already taken, anyway).

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), August 18, 1999.

A new, and quite thorough article about the GPS rollover by Lane Core Jr....

http://www.y2ktimebomb.com/Computech/Issues/lcore9933.htm

"The August 21-22 GPS Rollover: What It Is, And What It Is Not"

-- Linkmeister (link@librarian.edu), August 18, 1999.