FREE ESSAY ON THE Y2K HORROR

THE Y2K HORROR

Dave Fleming
Michael Pratt
Com 112-03
9 November, 1999
Proposal Argument
The Y2K Horror
Over the years, the technological world has advanced rapidly, and humans have come to
rely on computers for just about every aspect of daily life from education, to
communication, to banking, to electricity, we depend on technology. The Y2K "bug" seems
to be a vicious reminder that our technology is just a tangled connection of imperfect,
haphazard systems we have come to let run our lives. 
The year 2000 or the Y2K problem is caused by a "short cut" imbedded into many computer
and microchips. In the 1960s, to conserve what was then precious and expensive memory
space, computer programmers shortened the four-digit year to use a much more economical
two-digit method for example, 78 would mean 1978. Unfortunately, computers and microchips
that still use a two-number year will recognize 00 as the year 1900, not as 2000. When
using data involving dates, the problem will cause failures, and can corrupt databases
with incorrect information. A statement issued by the President's Council on the Year
2000 Conversion states: "This Y2K bug could cause computers to either shut down or
generate incorrect data. In our electronic information-dependent society, that could be a
big problem." At the time the two-digit year was first used in computer programming, no
one addressed or was prepared for a problem when the year 2000 rolled around, because,
like today, technology was advancing and changing quickly. Computer programmers assumed
that the two-digit year would eventually be changed and become obsolete. This, obviously,
did not happen. In many cases, the older applications that use the two-digit method have
been built on, and are buried deep into systems that are the basis of large corporations
and other industries that run civilization as we know it. 
Computers are everywhere in government, business, utilities, and our jobs. When one
system fails, there is a cascading effect to other systems. Chairman of the Subcommittee
on Government Management, Stephen Horn, stated that "Despite a lingering skepticism in
some realms, I assure you: The Year 2000 problem is real; its consequences are serious;
and the deadline remains unstoppable." 
The Y2K problem can not be accurately figured, and no one knows exactly what will be
affected, or how much. Bad news lurks in every corner and statistics are depressing. The
consulting firm GatnerGroup has estimated that Venezuela and Saudi Arabia (two of the
largest exporters of oil to the United States) are 12 to 18 months behind the United
States in their Y2K compliance efforts.
Being faced with the threats of loss of electricity, oil, and unfortunately, any hope of
technological stability is a serious matter that should not be tossed around like it is
not a big deal at all. Definitely knowledge and preparation is the key to surviving this
glitch in civilization. I really, truly feel that it is wrong to write Y2K off as a
media-hype, every human being is going to effect by the Y2K horror. 
Dave Fleming
Michael Pratt
Com 112-03
9 November, 1999
Proposal Argument
The Y2K Horror
Over the years, the technological world has advanced rapidly, and humans have come to
rely on computers for just about every aspect of daily life from education, to
communication, to banking, to electricity, we depend on technology. The Y2K "bug" seems
to be a vicious reminder that our technology is just a tangled connection of imperfect,
haphazard systems we have come to let run our lives. 
The year 2000 or the Y2K problem is caused by a "short cut" imbedded into many computer
and microchips. In the 1960s, to conserve what was then precious and expensive memory
space, computer programmers shortened the four-digit year to use a much more economical
two-digit method for example, 78 would mean 1978. Unfortunately, computers and microchips
that still use a two-number year will recognize 00 as the year 1900, not as 2000. When
using data involving dates, the problem will cause failures, and can corrupt databases
with incorrect information. A statement issued by the President's Council on the Year
2000 Conversion states: "This Y2K bug could cause computers to either shut down or
generate incorrect data. In our electronic information-dependent society, that could be a
big problem." At the time the two-digit year was first used in computer programming, no
one addressed or was prepared for a problem when the year 2000 rolled around, because,
like today, technology was advancing and changing quickly. Computer programmers assumed
that the two-digit year would eventually be changed and become obsolete. This, obviously,
did not happen. In many cases, the older applications that use the two-digit method have
been built on, and are buried deep into systems that are the basis of large corporations
and other industries that run civilization as we know it. 
Computers are everywhere in government, business, utilities, and our jobs. When one
system fails, there is a cascading effect to other systems. Chairman of the Subcommittee
on Government Management, Stephen Horn, stated that "Despite a lingering skepticism in
some realms, I assure you: The Year 2000 problem is real; its consequences are serious;
and the deadline remains unstoppable." 
The Y2K problem can not be accurately figured, and no one knows exactly what will be
affected, or how much. Bad news lurks in every corner and statistics are depressing. The
consulting firm GatnerGroup has estimated that Venezuela and Saudi Arabia (two of the
largest exporters of oil to the United States) are 12 to 18 months behind the United
States in their Y2K compliance efforts.
Being faced with the threats of loss of electricity, oil, and unfortunately, any hope of
technological stability is a serious matter that should not be tossed around like it is
not a big deal at all. Definitely knowledge and preparation is the key to surviving this
glitch in civilization. I really, truly feel that it is wrong to write Y2K off as a
media-hype, every human being is going to effect by the Y2K horror. 
Dave Fleming
Michael Pratt
Com 112-03
9 November, 1999
Proposal Argument
The Y2K Horror
Over the years, the technological world has advanced rapidly, and humans have come to
rely on computers for just about every aspect of daily life from education, to
communication, to banking, to electricity, we depend on technology. The Y2K "bug" seems
to be a vicious reminder that our technology is just a tangled connection of imperfect,
haphazard systems we have come to let run our lives. 
The year 2000 or the Y2K problem is caused by a "short cut" imbedded into many computer
and microchips. In the 1960s, to conserve what was then precious and expensive memory
space, computer programmers shortened the four-digit year to use a much more economical
two-digit method for example, 78 would mean 1978. Unfortunately, computers and microchips
that still use a two-number year will recognize 00 as the year 1900, not as 2000. When
using data involving dates, the problem will cause failures, and can corrupt databases
with incorrect information. A statement issued by the President's Council on the Year
2000 Conversion states: "This Y2K bug could cause computers to either shut down or
generate incorrect data. In our electronic information-dependent society, that could be a
big problem." At the time the two-digit year was first used in computer programming, no
one addressed or was prepared for a problem when the year 2000 rolled around, because,
like today, technology was advancing and changing quickly. Computer programmers assumed
that the two-digit year would eventually be changed and become obsolete. This, obviously,
did not happen. In many cases, the older applications that use the two-digit method have
been built on, and are buried deep into systems that are the basis of large corporations
and other industries that run civilization as we know it. 
Computers are everywhere in government, business, utilities, and our jobs. When one
system fails, there is a cascading effect to other systems. Chairman of the Subcommittee
on Government Management, Stephen Horn, stated that "Despite a lingering skepticism in
some realms, I assure you: The Year 2000 problem is real; its consequences are serious;
and the deadline remains unstoppable." 
The Y2K problem can not be accurately figured, and no one knows exactly what will be
affected, or how much. Bad news lurks in every corner and statistics are depressing. The
consulting firm GatnerGroup has estimated that Venezuela and Saudi Arabia (two of the
largest exporters of oil to the United States) are 12 to 18 months behind the United
States in their Y2K compliance efforts.
Being faced with the threats of loss of electricity, oil, and unfortunately, any hope of
technological stability is a serious matter that should not be tossed around like it is
not a big deal at all. Definitely knowledge and preparation is the key to surviving this
glitch in civilization. I really, truly feel that it is wrong to write Y2K off as a
media-hype, every human being is going to effect by the Y2K horror. 
Dave Fleming
Michael Pratt
Com 112-03
9 November, 1999
Proposal Argument
The Y2K Horror
Over the years, the technological world has advanced rapidly, and humans have come to
rely on computers for just about every aspect of daily life from education, to
communication, to banking, to electricity, we depend on technology. The Y2K "bug" seems
to be a vicious reminder that our technology is just a tangled connection of imperfect,
haphazard systems we have come to let run our lives. 
The year 2000 or the Y2K problem is caused by a "short cut" imbedded into many computer
and microchips. In the 1960s, to conserve what was then precious and expensive memory
space, computer programmers shortened the four-digit year to use a much more economical
two-digit method for example, 78 would mean 1978. Unfortunately, computers and microchips
that still use a two-number year will recognize 00 as the year 1900, not as 2000. When
using data involving dates, the problem will cause failures, and can corrupt databases
with incorrect information. A statement issued by the President's Council on the Year
2000 Conversion states: "This Y2K bug could cause computers to either shut down or
generate incorrect data. In our electronic information-dependent society, that could be a
big problem." At the time the two-digit year was first used in computer programming, no
one addressed or was prepared for a problem when the year 2000 rolled around, because,
like today, technology was advancing and changing quickly. Computer programmers assumed
that the two-digit year would eventually be changed and become obsolete. This, obviously,
did not happen. In many cases, the older applications that use the two-digit method have
been built on, and are buried deep into systems that are the basis of large corporations
and other industries that run civilization as we know it. 
Computers are everywhere in government, business, utilities, and our jobs. When one
system fails, there is a cascading effect to other systems. Chairman of the Subcommittee
on Government Management, Stephen Horn, stated that "Despite a lingering skepticism in
some realms, I assure you: The Year 2000 problem is real; its consequences are serious;
and the deadline remains unstoppable." 
The Y2K problem can not be accurately figured, and no one knows exactly what will be
affected, or how much. Bad news lurks in every corner and statistics are depressing. The
consulting firm GatnerGroup has estimated that Venezuela and Saudi Arabia (two of the
largest exporters of oil to the United States) are 12 to 18 months behind the United
States in their Y2K compliance efforts.
Being faced with the threats of loss of electricity, oil, and unfortunately, any hope of
technological stability is a serious matter that should not be tossed around like it is
not a big deal at all. Definitely knowledge and preparation is the key to surviving this
glitch in civilization. I really, truly feel that it is wrong to write Y2K off as a
media-hype, every human being is going to effect by the Y2K horror.