And how are all the counties, municipalities, cities and towns doing?

Diane

[Fair Use: For Educational/Research Purposes Only]

Report: Five state agencies still have work to do to avoid Y2K glitch
JENNIFER KERR, Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, June 9, 1999

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/1999/06/09/state0225EDT0168.DTL

(06-09) 02:25 EDT SACRAMENTO (AP) -- State agencies that keep track of motorists' driving records and run prisons probably won't fix Year 2000-related problems in some vital computer systems by the governor's Sept. 1 deadline, according to new reports.

The first Davis administration reports on how well state departments are dealing with the Y2K computer bug show many have plenty of work to do in the 205 days before the new year.

The Department of Corrections decided to put in a new phone system linking California's 33 state prisons on Dec. 25, a dangerously late date that alarmed state officials. They want the system installed closer to September to avoid computer problems.

The prison system even missed its deadline last week to turn in its latest data, which also disturbed state computer officials. The prisoners are expected to remain locked up come Jan. 1, however, the department report notes.

The Department of Motor Vehicles still needs to test the complex system that police use when they pull over a motorist to see if the driver owns the car or has outstanding court warrants, its report said.

Still, Gov. Gray Davis' Year 2000 chief said he is confident that computers providing important services to Californians will be fixed before Jan. 1 or officials will find another way to provide the services.

``There's no question in my mind that the mission-critical systems will be finished by the end of the year,'' said Elias Cortez, head of the state Department of Information Technology, known as DOIT.

The Year 2000 problem is caused by the inability of many computers to recognize all four digits of a year. Those programmed to register only the last two digits may not work properly starting Jan. 1, 2000, because they will assume it is 1900.

Any departments that won't have their systems fixed by Sept. 1 to avoid the date problem must complete a detailed plan outlining how they will provide the necessary services, Cortez said.

His agency posted reports Tuesday on the Internet detailing how well five state departments or boards are doing in fixing their most important computer systems. The agencies are the departments of Corrections, Motor Vehicles and Transportation, the Franchise Tax Board and the state's telephone communication system, which is part of the General Services Department.

Corrections and motor vehicles were rated as 50 percent to 70 percent finished and likely to miss the Sept. 1 deadline. Transportation and the telephone system were rated 70 percent to 90 percent done and likely to finish by Sept. 1. Only the FTB, which collects income and business taxes, was rated at more than 90 percent done and on track to finish on time.

``Obviously, it makes me a little bit nervous when we get these reports,'' said Assemblyman John Dutra, D-Fremont, chairman of the Assembly Information Technology Committee. ``The fact that they've determined where the weaknesses are and where the work needs to be done makes me confident the work will be done.''

His committee and two Senate committees are holding a hearing Monday to discuss the state's progress.

Davis appointed Cortez in February. Since then, Cortez and his staff have been looking at all 121 state departments and about 500 state computer systems that deliver services crucial for health, public safety or the environment.

Under Gov. Pete Wilson, all departments reported their Y2K work to DOIT, which did not have authority to audit it, Cortez said. He has been using two outside firms to verify the departments' information.

Other state departments' reports will be posted on the Internet as they are finished, with all done by mid-July, Cortez said.

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), June 09, 1999

Answers

Trying to locate those reports...

California Department of Information Technology

http://www.doit.ca.gov/

New California Year 2000 Site (06/07/99)

http:// www.year2000.ca.gov/main/main.asp

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), June 09, 1999.

Heres a quote, from the new web-site, designed to instill confidence...

I believe we will be prepared at the stroke of midnight. It will not be easy. Not all of our mission critical functions are currently up to speed. But I think we will have the right people in place and with sufficient resources and assistance from the private sector, we will be ready at the stroke of midnight january 1, 2000.

-- Governor Gray Davis

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), June 09, 1999.

"There's no question in *my* mind, that the *mission-critical systems* *will* be done by the *end of the year*" (New Year's Evil) "Obviously it makes me a *little* bit *nervous* when we recieve these reports" "The fact that they've determined where the *weaknesses* are and where the work *needs* to be done makes me *confident* the work *will* be done" Thanks Diane, don't bother going to any trouble to find the complete repot ....on MY account. I believe I've seen enough.

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), June 09, 1999.

They are NOT making this easy to find those things. I'll try later.

*Sigh*

Hidden message... "Be Prepared!"

Diane

DOIT Reports (Older)

http://www.doit.ca.gov/Reports/default.asp

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), June 09, 1999.

OT

Diane glad to see your still around, have not seen you in a while. You been away? Maybe stockin a bugout with chocolate? LOL

Mike

-- MidwestMike_ (midwestmike_@hotmail.com), June 09, 1999.

Mike... been PLAYING. You know, having fun!

Which reminds me... gotta run!

Did you know California's Lotto jackpot is up to $70 million today? A few friends and I rea going to see if we can "come up" with the numbers. Donno, but it would be fun. Get's me thinking about wishes and dreams.

;-D

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), June 09, 1999.