b'Surviving Y2K We all know about the "Y2K"Ofcourse,thismeansthatoperating system may be unafproblem. What does it alImean formany computer programs use twofected by ihe date rollover, applithose of us using computers indigits to represent years-like 98cations running on that system our businesses?for 1998. So when1999 ends,that are not compliant may be. Firstandforemost,Imustyour computer might think00Automobilemanufacturers inform all readers that I do notmeans1900insteadof2000.claim that cars will function norprofess to be an expert on Y2KComputers may crash or, evenmally. However, some speculate and shall not be held responsibleworse, spew out erroneous data.that warning lights may incorrectly foranyproblemsyoumayComputers run power grids, bankindicate that service is needed. encounter if you take advice frommachines, air traffic control andMany are concerned about air what is written.Nevertheless,Imore. The dilemma is potentiallytravel, and perhaps with good reahave completednumerous col very serious.son. The planes themselves problege-level computer courses andTheproblemmaymanifestably will not have problems. Howhave been reading up on the sub itself on one or more levels withinever, it is not yet clear that air ject. If you or your staff are notyourcomputer.Yoursoftwaretraffic control systems and other sure what you are doing, hire aapplications may not be able toairport equipment will be unafconsultant.handle it; your operating systemfected. The Y2K dilemma evolved from(the software used byapplica Unfortunately,therepercusthe fact that programmers in thetions, like DOS or Windows) maysions of the Y2K problem have 1950s,60s and 70s needed tohave problems: your BIOS (Basicalready begun to manifest themsavevaluableRAM(RandomInput/Output System embedded inselves. As much as 40 percent04\'Access Memory), and did so bya CMOS chip on the main boardthe largest American and Eurorepresenting dates with only twoin your computer) may fail: andpeancompanieshavealready digits. This saved up to 2 bytes ofyourRealTimeClock(yourexperienced at least minor breakRAM,which was anextremelyCMOS internal clock) may think itdowns because some software has costlycommodityunti Irecentis 1900.already had to deal with dates in years. Today, most systems haveNot all electronic devices will2000 and beyond. Some computer at least 32megabytesof RAMnecessarilybeaffectedby theprograms, like those used to pre(32,768,000,000 bytes). But in theturnover of the next century. How pare budgets, schedule appoint1970s, some personal computerever,many willbeaffected inmentsandpayunemployment systems had less than 256 bytessome way. Macintosh computersbenefits, deal with future dates. of RAM, so saving those 2 bytesare said to be completely Y2KA few utility companies are savwas crucial.compliant. However, although theing millions of dollars by not fix-Furthermore, programmers did not believe that the programs and systems around then would still be in use today. However, the DOS operatingsystemremained the cornerstone of PC systems until the introduction of Windows 95, and embedded electronic microprocessors also used variations of this operating system in miniature computerswescarcelynotice today-forinstanceincars, switchingsystems,handheld devices and other items which use micro-logic controllers. byJohnFullerton,MRCAAdministrativeManager 4'