Y2k Essay, Research Paper

Everyday people use computers in one way or another. From starting a car in the morning to listening to the stereo, computers are utilized everywhere. Our reliance on machinery is astounding. For example, social security numbers that were at one time used strictly for our retirement are now our sole identity. As computer use and reliance have overwhelmed society, a problematic computer aspect, now referred to as Y2K, was absentmindedly ignored. Becoming the global hype of today, Y2K is justifiably a topic of controversy and discussion in America today. We as a society can only predict what will occur when the clock strikes 12 on December 31 1999.

The Y2k problem or bug is best defined by the United States Security and Exchange commission. Put simply, many computerized systems are programmed to use a two-digit rather than four-digit number to represent the year. The 19 that proceeds dates in the century was assumed. Systems programmed in this fashion will treat the Year 2000, stored in their system as 00, as the year 1900. As a result, systems or programs that use dates to perform calculations, comparisons, or sorting may generate incorrect results when working with years after 1999. For example, a firm with a system that is not compliant may be unable to receive or process payment information in January 2000 for a transaction that took place in December 1999. (Readiness of U.S.)

This means that most computer based information systems are likely to fail when the internal clock or bios turns over to the year 1900 instead of the year 2000. The concept is much like early odometers in automobiles. Many cars do not have a one hundred thousands place on the odometer. I turn when the car advances from 99,000 miles to 100,000 miles the odometer reads 00,000. Although this problem seems minor in respect to the Y2k problem, the comparison demonstrates the lack of account for the future.

However unforeseen, the Y2K problem originated in the early days of computing when programmers and hardware engineers alike needed valuable storage space in a computers memory to hold information. Programming instructions to tell the computer to turn over from 1999 to the year 2000 was not feasible with the technology of the present time. Lacking initial confrontation in computer programming, the turn from 1999 to 2000 continues to be disregarded though technological advancements could have supported the issue. The standard for computers programmers followed the original format, thus developing the Y2K issue of today. If the issue had been confronted at an earlier time in computer programming, societal concerns of Y2K would not be an issue.

Several aspects of the Y2K bug could potentially collapse our economy. Core problems such as legacy software, which banks use to keep track of money transactions, use older computer code that will not process information after the year 1999. The confusion of this code will cause their computers to freeze, thus stopping transactions taking place in the banking system. The banking system as a whole is in the middle of an upgrade process right now. Customers worry about their money being safe in a bank as the year 2000 approaches and are planning too withdraw there cash to keep at home until they are convinced that the Y2K problem has passed. The federal Reserve has ordered an additional $50 billion of new currency to put into circulation for when people make a run on banks and automated teller machines late next year. Federal governors have assured Congress there will be sufficient cash available to the system to cover a wave of withdrawals (Marcy Gorden).

Internal chips found in banking system computers have instruction sets that will automatically delete information that is more than five years old. These chips are not software upgradeable and have to be replaced manually with new rewritten year 2000 compliant code. In a banking system for example, some customer s accounts or money may disappear due to the computer believing it operates in the year 1900 instead of 2000. If too many people start withdrawing too much cash at one time, banks could run out of their finite supply of cash, triggering a panic that would turn the worst fears about the Y2K computer bug into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Even if all their systems are Y2K compliant, bankers also could run into trouble in 2000 if the phone lines that transmit electronic transactions fail or if their software vendors haven t cured their own Y2K ailments (Micheal Jenkinson). If United States banks were to crumble it would send a ripple effect throughout the entire world possibly collapsing other nations currency backings. Presidents from Wells Fargo and Bank of America, two of the United States top banking chains, have both released statements guaranteeing that customer s money will be safe. Both banks are also offering a seventy five thousand dollar bonus if they reach compatibility goals before the year 2000. This will serve as an incentive for programmers to stick with Wells Fargo and bank of America through the year 2000.

Computer professionals predict that as many older applications still in use cannot distinguish the year 2000 from the year 1900, they too may suffer consequences ranging from minor glitches to complete shutdown when the new millennium rolls around. Air traffic controllers are confident that even if a computer black out occurs, aviation operations will still be able to function to FCC (Federal Commission of Communications) standards. Mike McNally, Air Traffic Controllers Union President confronts the flight effects of Y2K. I m not trying to indicate that when our computers shut down that everything is hunky-dory. There is a major transition period where the heart is beating and things are happening fast, and people are yelling and screaming trying to get a handle on it. (Rick Lockridge). Although controllers feel confident, many airline passengers will choose not to fly over New Years 2000.

Upgrading computer systems to account for the Y2K issue in an expensive and time-consuming process. The IRS has been criticized for being on of the last government organizations to begin the path of upgrading their systems to Y2K compliance. It is theorized that many IRS Transactions will be lost when the year 2000 hits. Social Security is another government agency that is late in preparing for Y2K changes. These government organizations set an unfortunate example for the rest of the United States, while they dictate other organizations the importance of upgrading computer systems they have hardly begun to address the issues themselves.

Currently, the government s highest priority is addressing risk regarding nuclear weapons. Computers are the primary means of communication for nuclear launch. The biggest risk, experts agree is that a Y2K problem could distort early warning data, and that either Russia or the U.S, could misinterpret that information as an actual launch. Some critics believe the U.S launch on warning nuclear posture raises the danger of this situation (King Publishing Group).

In addition to Y2K being a government issue, religious groups raise humanitarian issues as well. The celebration of the new millennium marks the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Christ. To some, the Y2K bug can be classified as a religious experience. America and most of European countries have been using the Christian calendar since their respective heritages. It is only natural then that the year 2000 brings upon us religious aspects of it s significance. Maybe it s just something about all those zeros that sparks people s interest, but the Y2K computer bug has not gone unnoticed by religious groups around the globe.

Some preachers have even gone as far as to say that god will almost indefinitely come down and lead us to safety. One would think that an inorganic problem dealing with computer technology would be the furthers thing from a holy matter but it s a prevalent issue with certain religious groups and activists and is being taken very seriously. The apocalyptic notion that the world will end in the year 2000 is all too common amongst these religions. Could it be that our reliance on computers has summed up our faith as human beings? The Christian Answers Network claims that: After you pass the denial stage and begin to appreciate the enormous risk to our economy and modern life from the Y2K disaster, it would be easy to let the staggering complexity of this computer catastrophe overwhelm you. We must realize that if we have faith in God, we are not alone. He has promised to guide our steps and to give us the needed wisdom to handle the challenges we will meet. (Dr. James Dobson) Christian broadcast minister Jerry Falwell, who believes the end is near, sees more than a technological glitch in the year 2000 computer problem. According to his latest videotape, Y2K could well be a sign from god. Y2K may be God s instrument to shake this nation, to humble this nation , says the Virginia based preacher.

As individuals, as nations, and as a global society we have the choice as to how we will respond to our Y2K problems. Presently the social aspect of Y2K is receiving little or no attention and is considered to be one of the most dangerous problems we face. Futurist Magazine, which is devoted to problems and solutions to futuristic ideas and solutions, writes, We firmly believe that social reaction is the most important place to focus public attention and individual ingenuity. They go on to say, Y2K is a technology induced problem, but can no longer be solved by technology alone. It will create societal problems that can only be solved by humans. (Peterson, Wheatley, Rogers).

Will the year 2000 mark the end of mankind? Is our money safe in our trusted banking systems? Are the airlines safe for travel? These are some of the questions we are forced to ask our selves as the year 2000 approaches. Certainly the Y2K problem and its possible effects on society have raised numerous questions concerning what will precisely occur. We have turned to experts in numerous fields and have come up with numerous possibilities. It s seems to me that it is all still speculation and it is impossible to pinpoint what will actually occur. But only time will truly cure the answers to the questions we have conjured. One thing is for sure, the year 2000 will be a testing point to what is arguably the biggest problem in technological history that mankind has ever faced.