Isn't this the same guy who said it was going to be a boon to the economy? Did this even make it out into the mainstream? 23 Nov, it is too late.

"Text: Daley Urges Testing of Embedded Systems for Y2K Problems (Critical systems affect host of business operations) (500)

U.S. Secretary of Commerce William Daley has called on American businesses to test for Year 2000 computer problems in critical "embedded systems" hidden away in machines other than computers.

In a press release issued November 22 by the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Daley said, "We urge businesses to be especially vigilant in testing embedded systems" that use computer chips to control or monitor everything from elevators to manufacturing plants.

A survey conducted by NIST and Century Corporation, a computer consulting firm, concluded that it is possible that many important systems have not been tested adequately. "Managers of these systems should, as a last resort, rely on assurances from suppliers and others that the individual components of a system are Y2K compliant," Daley said.

Following is the text of the NIST press release:

(begin text)

Nov. 22, 1999

Secretary Daley Urges Vigilance on Y2K Problem

Secretary of Commerce William M. Daley today urged American businesses to redouble their efforts to test for year 2000 computer problems that are hidden away in a variety of machines other than computers. Thorough testing of these "embedded systems" is a wise safety measure, Daley said.

"Ferreting out all the Y2K connections in the systems that run manufacturing plants, provide services to consumers, and control a host of operations that we all rely on is a tough job. We urge businesses to be especially vigilant in testing embedded systems," Daley said.

Embedded systems use computers or computer chips to control, monitor or augment a process. Such systems are found in everything from elevators to manufacturing plants."

The Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology and Century Corp., a computer consulting firm, have assessed the range of testing methods industry is using.

They conclude that it is possible that many important systems have not been tested adequately. NIST strongly recommends that all critical systems be tested literally from end to end.

"Managers of these systems should, as a last resort, rely on assurances from suppliers and others that the individual components of a system are Y2K compliant," Daley said. "I want to reinforce the message that I and others, including the President's Y2K Council, have been delivering about taking appropriate actions in readiness and contingency planning," he said.

A research article that includes guidelines for testing embedded systems by NIST and Century Corp. is available on the NIST web site at www.nist.gov/y2k/embeddedarticle.htm.

As a non-regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Technology Administration, NIST strengthens the U.S. economy and improves the quality of life by working with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements and standards through four partnerships: the Measurement and Standards Laboratories, the Advanced Technology Program, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the Baldrige National Quality Program.

http://www.usia.gov/cgi-bin/washfile/display.pl?p=/products/washfile/latest&f=99112301.glt&t=/products/washfile/newsitem.shtml

-- ng (cantprovideemasil@none.com), November 23, 1999

Answers

To issue something like this at this late date has but one purpose: C.Y.A. As in, "Don't blame us when raw sewage bubbles up your sinks because of embedded chips that were never checked -- we warned you!!!!"

-- King of Spain (madrid@aol.cum), November 23, 1999.

With just 19 Federal Days ( www.tasc.dot.gov/Y2K/ ) (maybe 21 private sector workdays) 'till the Roll, this is laughable, but I agree that this is an attempt to put a marker about it.

Our cynicism about this Administration now revolves around the meaning of the word "is," but Stepanoupolus (sp?) once said that the President's words ARE action...to talk about a problem is to have "acted" on it. In other words, Daley mentions checking Embedded Systems 38 days out, and that means the Administration has "addressed" the problem and "acted" on it.

-- K. Stevens (kstevens@ It's ALL going away in January.com), November 23, 1999.

http://www.usia.gov/cgi- bin/washfile/display.pl?p=/products/washfile/latest&f=99112301.glt&t=/ products/washfile/newsitem.shtml

-- Linkmeister (link@librarian.edu), November 23, 1999.

Unbelievable, and if the "embedded chips" are not certified compliant by the Manufacturer? Just another said how many weeks/months to replace? If the manufacturer is still in business, and if not? I thought embedded chips were the big dud, ya know, "not really the problem we originally thought." These .govs are soome "piece of work" any way you look at it!

-- preparingsomemore (karlacalif@aol.com), November 23, 1999.

This is pretty funny....Commerce Dept suddently identifies the embedded systems problem? Expect Dept. of Agriculture to weigh in oh y2k maybe in Febuary...our tax dollars at work....

-- FactFinder (FactFinder@bzn.com), November 23, 1999.

By golly, you are right ng; I just happened to make a printout of that other article the other day:

Wed. Nov. 17, 1999

DALEY: Y2K WON'T DERAIL U.S. GROWTH

Washington (Reuters)

Commerce Sec. william Daley said on Wednesday the steadily growing U.S. economy will not be upset by any computer problems that may occur at the end of the year.

"The greastest cost to our economy is behind us, with billions of dollars diverted from other uses to fix the problem," Daley said at a press conference where he issued a report on Y2K preparations. "Any glitches that pop up next year should not hurt our economic growth.".....

Commerce Undersecretary Robert Shapiro, in response to questions, scorned the idea of possible recession stemming from lack of preparedness among trade partners. "Not only will they (any glitches) not be great enough to drag down the U.S. economy but they will not even be enough to slow the U.S. economy," he said. We see nothing in economic reasoning that would lead us to expect a foreign shock down the road.".......

-- impala (impala@wild.com), November 23, 1999.