This computer is obviously not compliant. It needs to be replaced but won't be before 2000 anyway. What this shows is that Just In Time delivery systems are at risk. Note that they tried a paper and pen system and it failed miserably. It could take weeks for goods etc. to get to their final destination. If it is agriculture backing up, it will rot. Got source for vitamin C?

[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[

Tale Of A Troubled Computer

Analysts report that the well-being of a major sector of the U.S. economy hinges on an aging and overworked computer located in Newington, Va., a quiet Washington, D.C., suburb. The computer's assigned task is to count imports coming into the U.S. But the system is 15 years old and with imports soaring it stands near collapse, experts warn.

If the computer breaks down for more than a few hours, goods from abroad will start stacking up at the U.S. border. U.S. companies that rely on just-in-time deliveries might have to shut down production. Economists say the ripple effect could cost the U.S. billions of dollars.

When the computer -- known as ACS for Automated Commercial System -- was first brought on line, U.S. imports stood at $332 billion annually, but are close to $1 trillion now.

The first sign of trouble came in September 1998, causing a six hour shut down that threw the U.S. Customs Service three weeks behind schedule.

After a second glitch a little more than two weeks later, the computer muddled along for a two-day period.

A new system would cost around $1.5 billion -- but the White House, Customs and Congress have reportedly dragged their feet on spending the money.

Several months ago, Customs ran a simulated computer shutdown test in the ports of Charleston, S.C., and Savannah, Ga. Instead of using the computer, officials counted using pens and paper. The result was that backlogs exploded after just six hours.

After a theoretical 30-day shut down, cargoes would have been delayed by as long as eight days in port. Manufacturers would have been deprived of vitally important parts and agriculture imports would have rotted.

Source: Daniel J. Murphy, "A Computer-Age Trade Meltdown?" Investor's Business Daily, September 14, 1999.

For more on Commerce Dept. http://www.ncpa.org/pd/budget/budget-7.html

-- BB (peace2u@bellatlantic.net), September 16, 1999

Answers

"This computer is obviously not compliant". The article doesn't say that. It says the computer is old and overloaded. Just because it's old and overworked doesn't mean it'll die on 1/1/2000. And even if it does, how bad would that be? "The computer's assigned task is to count imports coming into the U.S.". Doesn't sound all that vital. I'll grant that the pen & paper method didn't work, but what's to stop Customs letting stuff through uncounted? In the event of an actual 30-day shutdown it wouldn't take a genius to let agricultural imports in without the correct paperwork, rather than watch them rot on the dock while people go hungry.

-- J (j@j.j), September 16, 1999.

Already discussed on another thread

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), September 16, 1999.

Yes, it's popular. Here as well. Now I've TRIED to put a link in there but have probably screwed up royally (1st attempt!) so apologies in advance.

-- J (j@j.j), September 16, 1999.

Sorry. I looked for a thread.

-- BB (peace2u@bellatlantic.net), September 16, 1999.

Don't feel bad, BB. I hadn't seem them either.

-- J (j@j.j), September 16, 1999.

Just type in the URL -- forget trying to make a hot link. If some idiot can't figure out how to copy from the page and paste into the browser Location (goto) window, maybe they should just fold their hand and go away.

-- A (A@AisA.com), September 17, 1999.