Y2K "Leaps" Pass Final Hurdle

Leap Year computer problems are few leaving bug nearly exterminated

The Y2K bug is- for the most part- history. With the arrival of leap day and no major computer problems to report, it looks like the computer bug has been exterminated. In fact, the worries are so few that the U.S. Senate's Y2K advisory committee is taking this opportunity to disband.

Since leap day comes just once every four years there was concern for computers this year since it is the year 2000. However, only minor problems have been reported around the world and it looks like Y2K worries are over.

"For the most part, Y2K problems have been quickly corrected and none have caused serious disruptions," a report from the Senate's Y2K advisory committee writes. It expects "continued reports of minor nuisances throughout 2000, but no major problems."

There were minor problems, 250 Y2K glitches worldwide. In Japan, weather monitoring stations reported double-digit rainfall even though no rain fell outside. Meteorologists say this was a computer problem, not a forecasting one! Also in Japan, a nuclear power plants computer system that monitors employee work hours shut down but didn't affect operations. The Indonesia stock market closed for the day to avoid possible problems.

"I would conclude that, as we predicted, there will not be any significant disruptions," said Bruce McConnell, who heads a United Nations-World Bank monitoring group for Y2K. "The world will barely notice leap day," he told USA Today.

McConnell's group is also closing up on Leap Day, though members will continue to monitor developments for a few more days. Many other Y2K experts are doing the same.

"This is sort of a closure on the Year 2000 efforts, like the final frontier here," said Dale Vecchio, research director in St. Louis for technology consulting firm Gartner Group.

So Leap Day arrived without a glitch and puts an end to the Y2K computer fears once and for all. This doesn't mean you will never find any small glitches, they may be there, it just may take you a while to find them.

(Source: USA Today)

DATE: 2/29/2000

For more E2000 stories, click here:
news | events | Y2K | today's news | life | party | stew

Marketplace
Books
Collectibles
Celebration Supplies
General Merchandise
Travel Packages