Hey guys,
Just a quick note on this one:
>
> ] companys, organization and govermental instituions etc. around the
world
> ] have, more or less, given money away to "computer experts".
>
> Y2K is all hype. Just to line the "computer experts'" pockets.
Well, speaking as a Consultant (*koff*) here in the US, here's what I can
add:
I wouldn't say it's "all" hype, although the problem does seem to have been
overblown. A potential crises is pretty easily avoided if you just look at
the problem. Much like thinking through a fire escape plan, planning for
contingencies is a "good thing." I've (sadly) been wrapped up in some Y2K
work over the last several months, and we DID find some problems. None of
them are a big deal in and of themselves, but had they all been encountered
all on the same day it sure could have caused some chaos. The recent
experience out in California is typical: Nothing blew up during their
testing, but a gate shut down in the wrong position and a local park was
filled with raw sewage. Not Armageddon, but surely a mess, and all caused by
not fully understanding what happens if the computer goes away.
The result of all this work is that we're doing some long-overdue system
upgrades, finally retiring some old junk and updating a few things. More
importantly though, we're FINALLY putting together plans to deal with WHEN
things go wrong -- Y2K or not.
There were a LOT of billing systems and the like that were NOT compliant.
They've mostly been upgraded, and hopefully problems -- these would be the
teeth gnashing types, not airplanes falling from the skies type -- will be
greatly reduced.
When you realize a lot of this work is going on within public agencies and
utilities, it's a bit scary that such plans were NOT in place prior to this
"crises." Y2K sure won't cause the world to end, but it did get everyone to
look at their automated systems and (finally) think about "what if."
I still expect the people factor to be the biggest issue -- at least
locally. There's a quote something to the effect of "Never underestimate the
power of stupid people in large numbers." Me? I'm stockpiling up on Y2K
memorabilia. I figure it'll be worth a fortune on E-Bay in about 10 years!
- Bob
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