http://flash.oregonlive.com/cgi-bin/or_nview.pl?/home1/wire/AP/Stream-Parsed/OREGON_NEWS/o0309_PM_OR--Y2KSurvey

Oregon State survey finds only 2 percent of Oregonians fear major Y2K problems

The Associated Press 12/18/99 3:33 AM Eastern

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) -- A recent survey indicates only a tiny fraction of Oregonians believe there will be major computer problems in the United States that would affect them personally when the year 2000 arrives.

But the Oregon State University survey found that more than half -- 59 percent-- of those questioned believe there will be minor problems that will affect them on Jan. 1.

Only 2 percent said they feared a major problem.

Just two out of five people surveyed said they have made any Y2K preparations, and a third said they plan to do nothing.

The telephone survey of 420 Oregonians was conducted in early November by researchers at the OSU College of Home Economics and Education. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.

"By and large, people are expecting few problems and, in my opinion, they aren't really doing a lot of planning," said Sally K. Francis, interim dean of the graduate school.

But she noted that, "when you dig a little deeper, you often find that they are buying extra batteries and candles, plan on filling their bathtubs with water and stockpiling a little cash."

Nearly everybody surveyed had heard or read something about the potential Y2K crisis, but only 46 percent said they had heard or read "a great deal" about the issue.

One possible reason, the researchers say, is Oregonians may feel overwhelmed by the amount of Y2K coverage in the media.

"When people see things day after day after day, the potential is there to become jaded," Francis said. "After a while, you don't want to think about buying extra batteries for your flashlight."

Those surveyed also said they feel a high degree of confidence that U.S. corporations and large businesses, and state and federal governments, will have upgraded their computer systems prior to Jan. 1.

But only 20 percent said they are very confident about the ability of small businesses to upgrade their computers before the year 2000 . That was fewer than the 31 percent of those surveyed who expressed confidence in the governments of Third World and less developed countries.

About three out of four people surveyed said they have a favorable opinion about the use of computer technology in our society.

-- Uncle Bob (UNCLB0B@AOL.COM), December 18, 1999

Answers

I attended a gunshow in Portland, Oregon today. Being a regular at such events, one gets to know who "belongs" and who doesn't. There were a lot of new faces today. People who obviously were not collectors or target shooters. Couples and first time buyers were everywhere. This was only a moderately large show-1000 tables and it was packed. The mini ATM machine in the foyer had a long line. There were a lot of guns moving out the front doors and a lot of ammunition. Well...maybe they were Christmas presents...

-- chairborne comando (what-me-worry@armageddon.com), December 19, 1999.

chairborne comando -- darn! How do you find out about when & where they are? Could you please eMail us? Thanks.

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), December 19, 1999.

A & L, The best place to find gun show locations and times is in THE SHOTGUN NEWS, a 3x a month publication selling everything that shoots. No, I don't work there, but have found it very useful. I think they have a website to order paper through if no one near you sells it.

Hope it helps,

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.com), December 19, 1999.

A&L: here's the url: http://www.shotgunnews.com/gunshow/

-- Norm Harrold (nharrold@tymewyse.com), December 19, 1999.