ZDNet says Despite The Squawking, Millennium Chaos Is More Folklore Than Fact

-- a (a@a.a), August 28, 1999

Answers

I just LOVE this article. Everthing about it! There is not one thing about it that is not somehow misleading. I particularly like the bit about Y2K sites that run scare stories and benefit from increased readership. Including the ZDNet site. This piece takes you through 5 or 6 pages, just chock full of ads. You can literally go through this piece paragraph by paragraph, and counter everything that the writer says. Ziff-Davis has been particularly weird in its Y2K coverage, and this piece gets my vote as the weirdest. However, I would seriously suggest that you DON'T read this article, so as not to give them the hit count. They're only in it for the money...

The question is, if it's 95% hype, what about that other 5%?? Isn't it possible that there is something in that 5% that may be a reason to be "better safe than sorry"??

-- pshannon (pshannon@inch.com), August 28, 1999.

I have NOT read the article, so am proceeding from a position of ignorance, but I would tend to agree with the idea that Y2K is 95% Hoax. It is a hoax that we were ever told it could be solved. It is a hoax that your money is safe in the bank. It is a hoax that big companies have the problem solved. It is a hoax that the utilities have finished remediation and testing. It is a hoax that nuclear plants have no Y2K issues involving safety. It is a hoax that the only thing to worry about is the kooks that are preparing. It is a hoax that NERC is telling you the truth. It is a hoax that it will be like a 2 -3 day snowstorm. It is a hoax that the people telling you all is well aren't making a lot more money from THAT story, than the folks telling you about problems. It is a hoax that if a vendor says they are compliant you can count on it. It is a hoax that if a government agency says it is compliant you can count on it. It is/was a hoax that Microsoft is compliant. On and on and on. YUP. Its a hoax.

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), August 28, 1999.

Good one Linda.

-- a (a@a.a), August 28, 1999.

Heard about ANOTHER products pipeline that flunked it's Y2K test this past week in a different part of the country. Also, talked to a friend who works at a company who I KNOW FIRSTHAND failed their test completely. He hadn't heard about it. Now that really made me wonder. How was that possible, as he is a pretty knowledgeable guy? They must have kept the test very low profile.

"You would think they had canceled Frasier." ???!!!?????

Listen here you flippant little tart, you should get some facts and fast. This situation will be oh so funny in the new year when you que up to get some gas in the three mile line. You and your buddies at Ziff Dufus are guilty of some of the worst propaganda known to mankind. I am now of the belief that you are publishing officially sanctioned disinformation. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

-- Gordon (g_gecko_69@hotmail.com), August 28, 1999.

Way to go... Linda!!

-- mabel (mabel_louise@yahoo.com), August 28, 1999.

Hey Gordon,

You've been assigned to my route. I'll be coming by to pick you up soon for your "reeducation"! I run a tight ship! Only one carry on bag is allowed, so please have it packed soon. You won't be needing it for long, though, so don't overpack....we've tested the ovens....and they are Y2K OK, Gordon.....

GOOOORRRDOOONNN I'm coming sooooon for yooouuu....

I'll be driving a white bus, following the little blue signs to your house....now come quietly and it will go easier for you.....

-- Driver (NWO@the.bus), August 28, 1999.

Gordon,

I have evil dreams of a huge media party on New Years Eve where we get to invite all the spinners to ring in the rollover. We put them in the middle of Times Square and give them all the cameras and modems their tiny little hearts could desire. Then we rent a huge air ballon, load up on few weeks preps get some good binoculors and watch the little media vermin scramble from above when TSHTF. Ok ok I know I probably couldn't float above Times Square long enough but hey its MY fantasy.

Its a sick twisted fantasy that gives me comfort whenever I read another one of these heinous "reports." God help these people when they realize the evil they have been party too.

-- R (riversoma@aol.com), August 28, 1999.

ZD is Ziff-Davis, publisher of several computer magazines. Very dependent on advertising for survival. Perpetually hyping the "latest and greatest" proven or not. So, re Y2K, can't panic the readers nor offend the advertisers.

-- vbProg (vbProg@MicrosoftandIntelSuck.com), August 28, 1999.

Linda,

You are delightful.

Liberty

-- Liberty (liberty@theready.now), August 28, 1999.

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr near Monterey, California

...consultants begin to roam the streets. On second thought, maybe extra bullets aren't such a bad idea.

Outrageous!

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage.neener.autospammers--regrets.greenspun), August 29, 1999.

Consider the source: Annette Hamilton is :Executive Producer of the ZDNet Anchordesk. No ads, no revenue, no job...

Where You *Should* Be Buying Internet Ads (It's Not Where You Think) -- Annette Hamilton

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), August 30, 1999.