-Caveat Lector- Energy Department powers up for Y2K testing By Erich Luening Staff, CNET News.com September 7, 1999, 10:00 a.m. PT With the new century just more than 100 days away, the Energy Department plans tomorrow to start testing its computer systems for glitches related to the Year 2000 technology problem. On September 8, electric power plants across the country will prepare for and monitor the date rollover at midnight. September 9, or 9/9/99, is a key date for Y2K testing because computer users have used nines to mean end of input, which could shut down computers programs on this date. The drill is intended to simulate as realistically as possible the exercise of operation, communications, administration, and contingency plans for the Y2K transition. U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson is slated to take part in the dress rehearsal for the Year 2000 technology glitch beginning tomorrow at the Energy Department's Bonneville Power Administration in Vancouver, Washington. Some experts believe September 9, 1999--written as 9/9/99--could create widespread computer problems similar to those that the Year 2000 date-change problem could cause. Experts said 9/9/99 could be read as "9999," the code that many computers use to stop a program. But Federal officials are confident the upcoming date change will come and go without any problems. "This industry-wide drill is yet another way to test whether local utility companies will have power after the clock strikes midnight at the end of the year," Secretary Richardson said in a statement. "The nation's 3,200 electric utility companies and cooperatives need to do everything they can to test their preparedness and ensure consumers a smooth transition into the year 2000." The Year 2000 problem, also known as the millennium bug, stems from an old programming shortcut that used only the last two digits of the year. Many computers now must be modified, or they may mistake the year 2000 for the year 1900 and may not be able to function at all. -- Sec. 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include - (1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes; (2) the nature of the copyrighted work; (3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and (4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work. The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
[CTRL] Energy Department powers up for Y2K testing
Shane A. Saylor, Eccentric Bard Tue, 7 Sep 1999 17:44:19 -0700