This should have been hot off the presses in, say, FEBRURARY, not the blooming last week of November!

The people who are "awoken" by this article will probably NOT have the time to complete all the steps that have been outlined. I hope the folks that read this will start setting aside the food, water and heat preps necessary. *Sigh*

http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/ctg737.htm

11/24/99- Updated 11:47 AM ET

"Make Y2K list now, check it twice" By M.J. Zuckerman, USA TODAY

"Fixing complex year 2000 computer problems is best left to those who are tech-savvy."

"Protecting yourself from the sting of the Y2K bug, however, is a simple matter of planning."

"Just as there are essential routines to prepare a home for winter -- cleaning chimneys, ordering heating oil, stacking firewood, all before it's too cold -- so Y2K is a matter of timely household management, experts say."

"And each household's needs will be different. "Everyone must make their own judgments," says White House Y2K director John Koskinen. "We've never argued with anyone who wanted to do more rather than less. But whatever you determine to do, do it early; prepare early."

"At Thanksgiving, "early" has just about passed. So whatever you need to do, now's the time."

"Good news, bad news"

"Most homes have few appliances or systems critically reliant on the date-sensitive functions that are at risk of failing because of the Y2K bug, an arcane programming shortcut that makes it difficult for some computers to process dates after Dec. 31, 1999."

"PCs, VCRs and video cameras may be susceptible to Y2K. But none of them is a life-critical item. Medical devices and security systems, however, can be, and their vulnerabilities must be examined with manufacturers, either online or by phone, as soon as reasonably possible."

"The greater Y2K threats are less tangible. They come from systems outside our homes upon which we depend but over which we have little control."

"Despite herculean efforts, government services, power plants, water-treatment facilities, telephones, banking and emergency services are expected to suffer sporadic, largely isolated and minor disruptions over the next six to 12 months. Some of the disruptions have begun already."

"The final White House report on the nation's Y2K readiness, released this month, said most essential services are confident that their computer systems are ready."

"President Clinton on Nov. 10 said there is no expectation of nationwide system failures."

"In other words, the White House is confident that the national power grid, telephone system and air traffic control operations, to name a few, will not collapse."

"But Koskinen concedes that some localized system failures are anticipated. Most Fortune 500 companies, in reports mandated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, say the same thing. They add that the failures could have a "cascading effect," spilling from one community to the next."

"For example, a local power failure could interrupt an East Coast widget maker, forcing a larger Midwest company to slow or cease operations until it can locate a new widget supplier."

"While no one can guarantee uninterrupted service, among those industries widely regarded as best prepared are financial services, power companies and telecommunications. Gas and oil pipelines, transportation, the food supply and water facilities are next. But the White House report regards emergency services, 911 response systems, health-care facilities, housing and schools (both public and private) as unreliable."

"Federal and state governments say they are or will be finished with all facets of preparations well before the end of the year. Yet minor glitches are cropping up."

"Keep in mind that in all of this, corporations, governments and utilities are reporting only on those computer systems they identify as "mission critical," or essential for them to operate -- generally far less than half their computerized systems."

"And concern remains that some mission-critical systems were overlooked."

"Preparing to face system failures is a unique exercise for every household. Those requiring medical services such as home dialysis or home oxygen systems should certainly consider backup power, such as a generator."

"More commonly, a rural home operating its own well needn't worry about the potential failure of water-treatment facilities, in contrast to homes in more densely populated areas. But if the power goes out in a rural area, so does the water pump. That's not a concern for urban residents."

"Make an inventory"

"Begin by touring your house, making an inventory of Y2K vulnerabilities. Room by room, jot down the brand name, model and serial number of any electronic gear that you suspect is susceptible."

"Consider that in some homes, offices and apartment buildings, electronic locks or garage-door openers contain embedded chips -- tiny time-sensitive devices -- that can cause annoyances. Talk to people responsible for maintaining such systems, and plan for what you can do if they fail. Most garage doors can be opened manually; most electric locks, such as those on hotel room doors, can't."

"Like those locks, consider where else you need to manage potential trouble in areas beyond your control:"

"Keep in mind what will happen if you suffer a temporary loss of electricity or natural gas, telephone or other communication services, financial services, water or food supplies, transportation, or police or emergency services."

"None of those services should be regarded as more or less reliable for purposes of creating your inventory."

"Examine your personal files and papers for important records, financial statements and other documents. Keep printed copies of such statements going back several months. Don't overlook such items as degrees and licenses, deeds and vehicle titles. Keep originals and copies filed safely."

"Don't count on your motor vehicle bureau or other county, city, state or federal records repository to survive unscathed."

"Consider your daily routine. Are you dependent on public transportation or a gas pump that takes credit cards?"

"While you are most likely to begin the new year without any Y2K scrapes or bruises, it's prudent policy to consider your personal worst-case scenario."

"Assume it all crashes"

"When you've completed your list, rank the inventory items from most to least essential. Ensuring you're able to cook is a higher priority than making sure you can run the dishwasher, for example; backing up computer files comes before checking your home video equipment."

"At each level, ask:"

"What can be done to ensure that the item is Y2K-ready? Call the manufacturer or visit the Web site, where most makers are posting notices on gear that may not be ready. Many are providing free "patches," or fixes."

"What happens if it fails? Devise a backup plan or a workaround."

"This is the same process corporate America and governments have followed the past few years -- identifying systems that may be susceptible and determining from that list which are most critical for remaining in business."

"It can be time-consuming. Lou Marcoccio, an executive with the Gartner Group, one of the nation's leading experts on Y2K, recently complained that it had taken him days on the phone to track down fixes and upgrade his home computers. But he also is far more confident now that he'll make it through the winter able to work without interruption from his Connecticut home."

"The point is, it's better to spend the time now than to worry so much on New Year's Eve that it spoils the last night of the millennium."

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), November 25, 1999

Answers

It make me think of patients dying just because they had the wrong Dr or the wrong hospital. Why the hell didn't USA print this months ago. But then, maybe they are smarter than I. Perhaps no one would have listened months ago and they will now. But they better have a lot of time, money and stamina if they are going to get this list done. Happy Holidays everyone. Wonder if next year we will have a "Spam for Thanksgiving" recipe contest? LOL Not to fear...I am sure Martha will have it all figured out for us.

Taz

-- Taz (Tassie123@aol.com), November 25, 1999.

"It can be time-consuming."

no, duh! Ya think?

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), November 25, 1999.

For us foreigners, can someone tell me the approximate circulation and the target readership of USA Today? Is this a Joe Sixpack publication?

-- Colin MacDonald (robororgerborg@yahoo.com), November 25, 1999.

Joe Sixpack MIGHT read this though the circulation is VERY large, but Chris Consultant (equally clueless as Joe, but more Yuppy) DOES read it. Walk through an airport, and you see more McPapers than WSJ's or NY Times's so the business travelling public will see it.....

Chuck

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), November 25, 1999.

They should've started years ago, not months ago. As for the question about the circulation and audience of USA Today: it is either the first or second largest circulation newspaper in the United States (the other one being the Wall Street Journal), and its audience is indeed Joe Sixpack. It has been referred to as "McPaper", or "the newspaper for people who can't read".

-- Steve Heller (stheller@koyote.com), November 25, 1999.

Chuck, Steve, thank you for the information. Is this bringing anyone else out in a cold sweat? I know most of us as assuming that a panic buying spree will start at some point, but I had kind of convinced myself that it wouldn't be until December. Erk, I feel a sudden urge to go shopping... Thanks again.

-- Colin MacDonald (roborogerborg@yahoo.com), November 25, 1999.

Even this will not be read and acted on. Look at the way it is written. Read two paragraphs and you will go on to another article. The only way to get people to attend to something is to start with a punch. This is written in such a way as to be totally noncompelling. It is filler.

-- Mara (MaraWayne@aol.com), November 25, 1999.

t@n.b), November 25, 1999.