Humm. Primary Y2K impact... or just the secondary kind. Who knows?

Diane

Via San Francisco...

Other Nations' Y2K Glitches May Affect U.S. Supply shortages, higher oil prices could result, Senate panel predicts

Los Angeles Times

Thursday, September 23, 1999

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/1999/09/23/MN81271.DTL

[Fair Use: For Educational/Research Purposes Only]

The failure of other countries to fix their Year 2000 computer problems could cause global disruptions that would ``wash up on our shores,'' creating the potential for higher energy prices, supply shortages and even a mild economic downturn, a Senate panel said yesterday.

[snip]

It cited an August survey that showed seven states -- Alabama, California, Colorado, Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Wyoming -- had fixed less than 70 percent of systems affecting child nutrition, food stamps and unemployment insurance.

``That does not match anything we've reported or measured internally within the state,'' said Elias Cortez, California's chief information officer, who is spearheading the state's Y2K readiness program.

``Not more than two weeks ago, we reported to Congress that our mission-critical systems are 93 percent complete,'' Cortez said.

Cortez told a state legislative oversight committee last week that 94 percent of state departments were Y2K-ready. ``The Senate report is not comprehensive. They never contacted me,'' Cortez said.

Cortez said he is confident in the state's readiness because, unlike some other states, California's program is reviewed by an independent entity.

California has set aside $357 million to make its computer systems impervious to the Year 2000 problem. As of September 2, $320 million had been spent.

Even if domestic problem areas are addressed adequately, the Senate panel warned, Americans cannot be shielded entirely from the impact of foreign computer failures.

``It's a mistake to believe that disruptions abroad won't hurt us here,'' said Sen. Robert F. Bennett, R-Utah, chairman of the special committee.

[snip--more]

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), September 25, 1999

Answers

Will dig up further details later... Y2K break time.

The question to ponder... is... "What's considered mission-critical in CA?"

Just "curious."

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), September 25, 1999.

Well,I would hardly expect Cortez to say;"next year people will be shitting themselves to death for want of potable water"

-- zoobie (zoobiezoob@yahoo.com), September 25, 1999.

Diane:

This is a primary example of why I can't buy any cover-up theories. Let's face it. If there was some kind of cover-up they could get their stories straight. Looks more like chaos [non-math kind] to me. Have you noticed the, totally, [valley girl talk] conflicting information being released on the same day. It has happened many times. My impression is that they don't really know what they are talking about. I could be wrong; after all, there is precedent.

Best wishes,

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), September 25, 1999.

How about this for a summary of California prospects:

Los Angeles greater metropolitan area population: 16,111,900

Los Angeles local water supplies (# of people will supply): 30,000

www.y2ksafeminnesota.com

-- MinnesotaSmith (y2ksafeminnesota@hotmail.com), September 25, 1999.

Diane,

What really gets me is I've noticed a rough correlation between the politics of Symbolism and Hoopla, and how far behind they are. Here, the Mayor pulled a political move so ham handed that he got sued by The conservative Republican head of the state Legislature AND the leading Leftist activist do gooder group. Yet projected completion for Water, Sewer, and Traffic is still December '99. (they are STILL using two digit years in press releases!)

-- K. Stevens (kstevens@ It's ALL going away in January.com), September 25, 1999.

A historical perspective for the newbies to y2k

last year the state "used up" it's y2k budget of something like $50 million and the legislature was saying the state government wasted the money. That's why they refused to provide an additional $21 million.

That same month, the Orange County Register (bastion of liberal squishiness, right? NOT) was saying that the total state government y2k bill was 1.1 BILLION. That's right, a republican newspaper urging the Government to SPEND MORE.

They haven't spent the money. They're not finished. Nothing is fixed. (except the coffee pot in the break room)

Better hope it wasn't broken in the first place.

The state contingency plan is the same as the mathematician's plan for constipation... work it out with pencil and paper.

-- hunchback (quasimodo@belltower.com), September 25, 1999.

It was my impression that the IV&V contract was let in late spring or early summer. Can IV&V be completed so fast? Especially since Calif must be completing critSys on a weekly basis.

Diane, I have a 30 page print out of Non-CritSys, but I've never found out what Calif considers CritSys. fwiw, some of the non-CritSys would seem to have fair impact. LANs/WANs, A/R & P, General Ledgers, Voter Registration, lots of local PC's and servers, Contract tracking, Inmate Appeals tracking, Death Row.

-- Mitchell Barnes (spanda@inreach.com), September 25, 1999.

Mitchell,

Been thinkin' about that one. Don't remember that I've EVER seen CA CritSys spelled out.

I wonder... ?

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), September 25, 1999.

> The question to ponder... is... "What's considered mission-critical in CA?"

Water, food, fuel, power, and their distribution systems mostly. If the politicians don't get paid for a few months no big as far as I'm concerned. Of greater concern to me too are the climate controls in the local wine cellars, the heating and filtering system the hot tub and whether my satellite TV system will work okay....you know, typical californian type stuff. Make my own power with solar and wind so not very concerned about electricity.

Cheers....DCK

-- Don Kulha (dkulha@vom.com), September 25, 1999.

Don,

Want guests?

;-D

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), September 25, 1999.

Drove through southern Orange County today (Anaheim, Santa Ana, Laguna Niguel, etc.) Temps in the high 80's. Couldn't help envisioning what the place would look like if water delivery were to be impacted for even 7 days. Not pretty.

We will know soon. Eli Cortez used to run San Bernadino's IS department. They were reportedly in sad Y2K shape at the time he left to join Davis' team. We can only hope that he's done a better job at the state level.

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), September 26, 1999.

Add Y2K failures to the ever-increasing population-related water crisis in S. California, and whatdya got? A full banquet table of consequences. Govts., and developers continue to invite (take money from) millions of people who still flock to S. California and Aridzona, AKA:

http://www.kteh.org/cadillacdesert/home.html

The Cadillac Desert

I remain sick and sad over 'civilized' humankind's definition of: Planning. My kingdom for "yo-yo control" on S. California history. One brief, shining moment.

Got water? "All day I faced the barren wastes without the taste of water. Cool,...water."

--She in the sheet,...

-- Donna (moment@pacbell.net), September 26, 1999.

I find myself doing what Mac describes all the time now. Driving down a street I'll wonder what it would be like with people looking for water or unable to flush a toilet. It's not a pretty or comfortable picture I paint in my mind.

Yesterday my family and I drove out to Pamona Fairgrounds to see the big Dino exhibit. I loved holding my son's hand as we walked through this darkened hall with all these "live" dinosaurs. His favorite was the full-size T-Rex family : ) There is nothing like the pride of hearing your 3 year old child say "Pachycephalasaurus!" (I had to search just to find the correct spelling!) We walked through several times, of course, like a cattle herd. A whole lot of people were at the fair yesterday.

Anyway, what a drive. So many people, cars, and houses. So much infrastructure to support them. Y2k may be a "local" event but the size of local failures in L.A. and Orange County areas will make the entire area difficult to exist in "normally". How long will it take for people to flee? Will it be possible? I make my living with my imagination and it can run wild with these kinds of questions.

``It's a mistake to believe that disruptions abroad won't hurt us here,'' said Sen. Robert F. Bennett, R-Utah, chairman of the special committee.

Yep Senator. I think it's also a mistake to believe that disruptions in water or sewage or supply chain a few blocks away from me wont hurt my block or put my family at risk.

Mike

==================================================

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), September 26, 1999.

It is quite obvious that those communities that are the most infrastructure-dependent will be the most vulnerable. Those that are supported by water and food and energy produced elsewhere will be vulnerable. Where the source of that water, food and energy is hundreds of miles away, a "locality" is extremely vulnerable to disruptions.

Hmmm - you could almost call these "parasitic" communities severed from the host. That is, if you are viewing it from the host's perspective. But we never do that....

-- anon (anon@anon.calm), September 26, 1999.

Michael 'n Mac,

I have similar feelings and thoughts.

There's a wonderful hike near my home which takes you to a lookout point for the whole Silicon Valley. The distant view incorporates San Francisco, Oakland and a swash of cities across the Bay, the Mofett field blimp hangers and on down into sprawling San Jose. Its a wide vista of humanity. While the population up here is maybe one eighth the size of L.A., it's still a heck of a lot of people!

I think about what they'll ALL "DO" in a crisis situation.

Could be an earthquake... could be Y2K repercussions... or something unexpected. Like a massive, uncontrollable fire. (Been there, done that, got the T-Shirt!) There are a whole lot of trees interlaced with those houses in the foothills leading to my doorstep.

Then I think about a sign I saw in the local Morman preparation store...

PG&E (Pacific Gas & Electric Company) says...

When the Hayward Fault snaps, expect to be without power, lights, gasoline, water & natural gas for 2 to 8 weeks... until services can be repaired!

It doesnt take much to turn your whole world upside down... about 30-45 seconds of a 7.0 and above--same for L.A. (Got the Northridge quake T-Shirt). Or being part on the sidelines to a large-scale metropolitain riot. (Got the L.A. riots T-Shirt too).

How will they all react? This time around? Donno. Hopefully better than we think.

Just know for myself, Ill try to behave with grace, dignity, compassion and help where needed... and remember... Attitude Is Everything .

Whatever happens... Im convinced... being prepared for lifes upcoming curve balls... is just a wise investment in our near-term future.

For all her faults California is still a beloved golden state. Just... slightly cracked at the seams. Y2K may make that even more evident.

*Sad Sigh*

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), September 26, 1999.

"Water, food, fuel, power, and their distribution systems mostly. If the politicians don't get paid for a few months no big as far as I'm concerned. Of greater concern to me too are the climate controls in the local wine cellars, the heating and filtering system the hot tub and whether my satellite TV system will work okay....you know, typical californian type stuff. Make my own power with solar and wind so not very concerned about electricity".Cheers....DCK

"Don, Want guests?";-D, Diane

Hmmmm...Perhaps Diane...There is a screening process however since space is limited. First off you must be able to find me (hint- Healdsburg), know what the reference to "fortress of solitude" is from, know what day the king proclaims in "My Fair Lady", know what type gal "Professor Harold Hill" prefers, be able to field strip a .45 auto, recognize the indications for dengue and make bread from scratch (use of my solar oven is optional). Bonus points for being able to catch one of the wild turkeys around here.

Ciao....DCK Home Power Magazine

-- Don Kulha (dkulha@vom.com), September 26, 1999.

Don -

You sound like a man of taste and discretion; Diane would be fortunate indeed to hole up with you and yours. Anyone who appreciates Kal-El, H'Alfred P. Doolittle, River City, essential health and safety, and homemade bread would be good company indeed. My own bug-out plans currently would take my clan considerably inland and northerly from you, unfortunately. But who knows? Perhaps we'll get a chance to meet "on the other side"...

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), September 26, 1999.