"Shaking my head"-- why is it that in such a technically sophisticated age that there is what seems to be an absolute disappearance of any form of specificity.

How is it that Scientists can be working on Nano-technology and genetic engineering and decoding DNA and yet try and get any form of Specificity about a technical problem regarding a stupid Date and NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! nothing! Maybe,could be,might happen,no one knows.

Take the snip below. If only 14% of Wastewater plants our ready Should We conclude that 86% of the population on Wastewater will be without??? Or should we just assume the infamous----"No one Knows"

I submit that if this is true and no one knows for sure what will happen then this situation in and of itself is cause enough to tear it down and start all over again!! If I build something say a bridge or some other engineering excercise, the intellect and principles that I used to create it preclude that I know the stresses it can take. I would at least be able to tell you that if such and such happens the bridge that I built will definately come down!

dumb Programmers---We just don't know!!!!! Why!???????????????

-Snip-

""Only 14 percent of wastewater plants had wrapped up the repair phase of their Y2K programs, the report said, citing the most recent survey of the Association of Metropolitan Sewage Agencies."

-end snip-

-- d----- (dciinc@aol.com), December 11, 1999

Answers

Well, rocket scientists still can't get the Mars thing worked out either.

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

True,

But I'm sure if ask they would have at least admitted a 50/50 chance of success or failure. (specifically) and not any of this--we just don't know Bravo Sierra.

-- d----- (dciinc@aol.com), December 11, 1999.

You Said:

"How is it that Scientists can be working on Nano-technology and genetic engineering and decoding DNA and yet try and get any form of Specificity about a technical problem regarding a stupid Date and NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! nothing! Maybe,could be,might happen,no one knows."

That' because the one's working on the former are molecular biologists and the ones working on the latter are computer scientists. Big difference in brain power, organization, communication, and dedication. Bio/Chem Scientists are simply better scientists. :)

-- Brian (bgidlin@purdue-bio.edu), December 11, 1999.

Of course they KNOW. But they don't care!

Things will not work. Period.

-- use common sense (not@ready.broken), December 11, 1999.

Frustrating, isn't it. Why hasn't the gov't demanded of Intel and other chip manufacturers SPECIFICS on the logic and date functions programmed into all chips manufactured in the past three decades? Why? Or, have they? Anyone?

-- StanTheMan (heidrich@presys.com), December 11, 1999.

Stan,

10 We ask ---> They lie ---> We test ---> Units fail at X% ---> IF We upgrade ---> THEN Units fail at Y% ---> GO TO 10

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out if you leave near X, Y or Z (the unknown variable).

-- Hokie (nn@va.com), December 11, 1999.

how can any of us predict with any certainty how bad the effects of imbedded chips will be?

but the interdependency thing...that this is dependent on that...and then that on this...etc....

that thought alone should cause enough fear and trepidation..if but for only the insightful and wise....

-- rickoshade (rickstershade@aol.com), December 11, 1999.

I. "Nobody knows" if Y2K will be bad.

II. I'm a "nobody" (i.e., neither a politician, a PR man, or a member of corporate or government management.)

III. Q.E.D., I know Y2K will be bad.

Next question?

Bill

-- William J. Schenker, MD (wjs@linkfast.net), December 12, 1999.

Schenker: Excellent!

-- A (A@AisA.com), December 12, 1999.

-- d:

You might want to check out:

http://www.awwa.org/y2k07.htm

Here is a quote that might help you out:

"Analysis of the surveys indicate that water utilities are currently much better prepared for the new millennium than they were only 10 months ago. The Survey shows that overall, 92 % of all systems have gone through the inventory, assessment, remediation or replacement, and testing required to become completely Y2K compliant. This breaks down to 92.5% for the very large systems, 88.7 % for large, 90 % for medium, and 93.6 % for small systems. In 1998, only 51 % of all systems had even completed their assessment, although 81 % expressed confidence that they would be ready before December 31, 1999. In general, it appears that utilities will be prepared to handle the issues confronting them when the new year begins. In addition, very few systems still require remediation or replacement"

-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), December 12, 1999.