Being a client-server kinda geek, I've found that the prep and readiness in mid, mini and micro(pc) systems can sometimes be overwhelming and comical. Some systems and applications may not have discovered their "y2k-ness" (or lack of) until recent crashes in the last few months of 1999. Others may have hourly, daily, weekly or monthly notifications and downloads of updated system or application patches or updated versions from vendors, which have been implemented years ago. Anyhow, most everyone seems ready or knows how to handle it even if their systems are not ready.

My feeling? You can freak out...or not. If you're not sure, backup your date-sensitive data and put it on a system that has the consesus of being "y2-okay". If your data is not sensitive to dates and you're mildly concerned with your hardware and application, then set the year field on your computer to four-digit rather than two (advisable on Win 9x systems not y2k updated and has this modification ability). Or, when the time comes, set the date to 01/01/72...same calendar setup as 2000, until you can update your system. Or you may download your vendor's recommended software patches or hardware firmware.

In the U.S., by law, your bank is supposed to insure your account up to $100,000.00 and cannot make your funds unavailable to you for more than forty-eight(48) hours. And they gotta answer to the constituents and the government on their y2k preparations and compliancy. Otherwise, they make no money. Or get decertified and lose endorsement by the FDIC. So? Freak out? Or not?

One of the biggest y2k scams I've seen: Windows 98 claiming y2k readiness, but being bundled with a browser that is NOT compliant. Yeesh. And they get a salary for this.

Since when does a generator care what day it is? If you don't pay your electric bill, you get cut off. A microswitch doesn't cut you off...a person on the switch does. And why can't the electric company read my meter from the main office? Tech-giants are they?

Technology. Cool isn't it? This might be the wake up call for lazy people that can't hang a picture in their own living room or change a tire or play a musical instrument without electricity. Knowing your tools and your computer might help. Feel free to browse the following links. They're thought - provoking and entertaining. Aloha, ya'll!

Weird seeing "January 1, 2000" on my pc this morning. Just got back from a family New Years celebration. For those that kinda went overboard and freaked out a lot, go ahead and take a tax deduction on that stash you'll be giving up to charity. Did your lights go out? The Aussies and others across the dateline didn't crash did they? And if the Russians made it through this...yeeesh!

One week into 2000 and what's happened? BAU(business as usual). Except maybe the y2k testing groups formulating rationale for extending their usefulness: "EOY2K readiness"??? Are you ready for END OF YEAR 2000? Listen. Can you hear it? The sound of hack consultants milking the life out of your check book.