Alabama Lags in Y2K Preparedness

Updated 6:48 PM ET December 14, 1999

By PHILLIP RAWLS, Associated Press Writer

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - By its own admission, Alabama's state government is the worst in the nation in Y2K preparedness, with only 57 percent of the critical computer systems described as completely ready for the arrival of the new year in two weeks.

Gov. Don Siegelman, who on Tuesday declared the state ready for the Year 2000 computer rollover, has blamed Alabama's low preparedness ranking on a late start caused by his predecessor.

"Most other states had a two-to-three year head start," said Jeanie Layson, an Atlanta consultant hired by the Siegelman administration to serve as a Y2K spokeswoman.

The National Association of State Information Resource Executives in Lexington, Ky., compiles statistics on each state's Y2K readiness. Using standards set by the association, states rate themselves. Alabama came in last, according to the association.

Alabama reported Friday that state government had 328 critical computer systems, with 57 percent of them compliant with Y2K. The next worst state, New Mexico, reported that 81 percent of its critical computer systems were Y2K compliant.

The Siegelman administration contends former Gov. Fob James, who lost to Siegelman in November, failed to move decisively on Y2K compliance. James has denied any foot dragging.

Siegelman said that state systems are ready and he foresees no reason for service interruptions on Jan. 1.

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Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), December 14, 1999

Answers

Ray

Isn't that where Flint is from?

Time to yank up the Y2K alarm another knotch eh Flint?

-- Brian (imager@home.com), December 14, 1999.

Brian, lest we forget, Flint is preped to the hilt. He just wants to convince every one else not to worry!!

Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), December 14, 1999.

Yes, I'll try to keep y'all posted if anything shows up in the local papers. We have several other Alabama people here also, and maybe they can pitch in.

-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), December 14, 1999.

Mobile - here all my life 40+ yrs........backward as ever...hardly anyone doing anything.....stocking up i mean.

...good....more for me.......course some folks ARE REALLY preparing...!! guns and all.... we'll see

-- Jimbob (gladtobehere@anyway.i-hope), December 14, 1999.

Flint:

Don't get back here much now-a-days. But since no one has said the obvious, I will. Nothing ever really works in Alabama. No one will even notice. The people are used to working around these failures. I think that I got that one right. You may add to it if you wish.

Best wishes,,,,

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), December 14, 1999.

Flint:

I said that I think I got that one right. I meant that I think I got that line right ;-).

Best wishes,,,

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), December 14, 1999.

I think the Alabama state government *does* the least of any state, so any problems will be noticed the least. I'm glad I'm not a single mother relying on the state for aid, though.

-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), December 14, 1999.

Toast. No, make that burnt toast...

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), December 14, 1999.

Interesting thing about 'Bama:

1) TPTB tend to perpetuate the perfect 'good ole boys network, stonewalling reality in order to effect their private agendas.

2) On the other hand, one component of the citizenry seems to have taken the Y2K potential for disruption to heart. That cohort is the rural sector -- I see a lot of quiet preparations, even among people who wouldn't know a URL from a SNAFU.

Go figger.

Bill (glad I've got genuine redneck neighbors)

-- William J. Schenker, MD (wjs@linkfast.net), December 14, 1999.

"By its own admission, Alabama's state government is the worst in the nation in Y2K preparedness, with only 57 percent of the critical computer systems described as completely ready for the arrival of the new year in two weeks ... Alabama reported Friday that state government had 328 critical computer systems, with 57 percent of them compliant with Y2K ...

Gov. Don Siegelman, who on Tuesday declared the state ready for the Year 2000 computer rollover ... "

Huh? DISCONNECT, anybody?

Reports they're not anywhere near compliant while announcing they're ready?

Oh yeah, ready has nothing to do with being compliant, just a legal term meaning whatever the hell, whatever

-- DISconnect (Unplug@mid.night), December 15, 1999.

Siegelman tours emergency preparedness bunker, discusses Y2k

-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@inbellfry.com), December 15, 1999.