The most compelling argument for doom in 2000 to me is the "running the final program" argument. The system of systems was built over the decades one piece at a time. You start with one computer running one program. Over the years you modify the program, or add sub-programs, or add other components to the system. You may replace one part or another but you always do two things...1. You leave the old system running while you test the new part for bugs (cause you always have them). 2.You only introduce one new part at a time (so you'll know what new part has the bug). On Jan. 1st there will be a new "environment" for every computer in the world. The "test" environment is not the same. It will be the first live test. Questions: 1.What are the odds that all these fixes(patches) will work on the first try (in the live environment) and without an old system to fall back on? 2.How hard will it be to determine where the problem is with so many modifications all introduced on the same day?

-- Frank Carder (carder@bellsouth.com), December 10, 1999

Answers

1.What are the odds that all these fixes(patches) will work on the first try (in the live environment) and without an old system to fall back on?

The likelihood of this working is, to an excellent approximation, 0. 2.How hard will it be to determine where the problem is with so many modifications all introduced on the same day?

It will be essentially impossible.

Now you know why I am a "doomer" (realist).

-- Steve Heller (stheller@koyote.com), December 11, 1999.

Not one Fortune 1000 corporation has done end-to-end testing within their own organization, and with each of their critical suppliers and vendors. Not one utility. Not one money-center bank. Not in any industry, not in any country on planet earth. Imagine that, not one.

This fact will make for particularly difficult times for money center banks, oil and food distribution, and water/sewer systems. Did I mention nuclear power facilities? Or massive cyberterrorism, a virus du jour? You and I will be left to pick up the pieces. Be ready to live at a new level of materialism.

Oh yeah, everything's going to be just fine at the rollover. Fabulous luck to all, and keep your head down until the firestorm settles. Eventually, we will be born into a new world, and those who survive with their health and sanity will help build a golden age. One more focused on spiritual values, not material.

At the very least, do not fear death, it will come to us all someday.

****

-- Zen Angel (theEndGame@now.com), December 11, 1999.

End to end testing begins in 20 days...

-- Uncle Bob (UNCLB0B@AOL.COM), December 11, 1999.

Zen said it best:

NOT ONE!!!!!

This was confirmed by my local utility company.

-- y2k dave (xsdaa111@hotmail.com), December 11, 1999.

"End to end testing begins in 20 days... "wow.....that has a ring to it!!!.....it in one moment says to my subconcious bell ringer!!!!"the end to end test will have a load of bugs!!and therefore......" load=1% or more.

-- Frank Carder (carder@bellsouth.net), December 11, 1999.

Couldn't agree more, it will truly, truly be some kind of "HELL ON EARTH" I'm not looking forward to this......................

-- Michael (michaelteever@buffalo.com), December 11, 1999.

I am not a polly or troll, as far from either as one can get......

Question: How do we know that, "Not one Fortune 1000 corporation has done end-to-end testing within their own organization, and with each of their critical suppliers and vendors. Not one utility. Not one money-center bank. Not in any industry, not in any country on planet earth. Imagine that, not one."

Wouldn't the chance of lawsuits prevent a company from not announcing that they have tested, etc., etc., etc.????????? I hear this arguement all the time.

-- Vernon Hale (create@premiernet.net), December 11, 1999.

Back to normal!

This has me scared sh*tless

-- K. Stevens (kstevens@ It's ALL going away in January.com), December 11, 1999.