Year 2000: Questions and Answers* (An old topic to be sure, but I have left it here as a archival resource on this and related topics.)

1. The Y2K issue,
2. The 9/9/99 problem, and
3. The "skipped" leap year issue.

Y2K: What's the big deal about the Year 2000? Until recently, electronic chip manufacturers and people who write code for software applications have used a two-digit code to store the year in computer and other electronic hardware, and in various support software programs. When the Year 2000 arrives, those chips may misread "00" as the year 1900 or another number instead of 2000. This could cause computers and other electronic devices to shut down, crash, freeze or quit altogether. If that happens, your ability to conduct computer-based activities could be seriously compromised.

The other two major Y2K problems are not related to Year 2000 changeover per se, but their consequences may be similar:

9/9/99: The shorthand for September 9th, 1999 is 9/9/99--some computer programmers use "9999" as a shorthand for "end of program." This could cause computers and other electronic devices to shut down on September 9th.

The "Skipped" Leap Year: Many people assume the rule for determining a leap year is simply once every four years. By this rule, year 2000 should be a leap year--however, the complete rule for determining leap years is a bit more complex:

• If the number of the year can be divided by 400 without leaving any remainder; it is a leap year, otherwise;
• If the number of the year can be divided by 100 without leaving any remainder; it is not a leap year, otherwise;
• If the number of the year can be divided by four without leaving any remainder; it is a leap year, otherwise;
• It is not a leap year

The year 2000 is one of the years in which leap year is skipped. Since this happens infrequently (once every 100 years or so) some calendar programmers may not have accounted for this exception when developing their schedule algorithms.

There are several other Y2K problems, but they are considered less significant by most experts. It is probably prudent to focus primarily on the three issues mentioned here.

Which devices are involved? The list is very long, but here are few samples:

• Computer hardware, operating systems, and applications

• Telephone

• Timing devices

• Medical devices

• Pagers

• Monitoring equipment

• Heating systems

• Any device with embedded computer chips

• Electronic date exchange and more

What resources are available?

• Sources that help manage your school (school districts, DOE, CFL)

• Vendors for your equipment

• Building management

• Computer consultants

Information from Internet sites:

www.state.mn.us/ebranch/admin/ipo/2000/2000.html

www.rx2000.org

www.y2k.com

www.year2000.com

www.fda.gov

How can you start getting your school ready to become Year 2000 ready? If you are purchasing new hardware, operating systems (such as DOS, Windows or Mac OS) or applications (such as spreadsheets, word processors, etc.), insist that the manufacturer provide you with a Year 2000 compliance certificate/form. Without that, you have no guarantee these purchases will work beyond midnight, Dec. 31, 1999.

Currently owned hardware, operating systems and applications need to be thoroughly tested. A common approach regarding your devices is to contact the manufacturer or vendor, providing them with the product information they need to determine whether your equipment is Y2K ready. Again, you should request a form that verifies the product is ready for the Year 2000.

You should check with the dealer from whom you purchased your school vehicle(s) to determine if any of the onboard computer components are subject to Y2K failures. If so, you'll want to have those onboard computers made Y2K ready so you'll be able to use the vehicles after Dec. 31, 1999.

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*Much of this document is based on information provided in "Year 2000: Questions and Answers" an article in The Allina Newsletter for Physicians, September/October 1998 Issue.