If computers and embedded chips would simply shut off when there was an internal error, the Y2K problem would not be such a bad thing. The trouble is that no one yet knows which systems will be affected and which will not. If your computer works in January of 2000, try adding 2 and 2 on your calculator. See what you get. It is quite possible that your answer will be nowhere near four. It is how the computer incorporates date functions into other applications that matters. If the date is off-kilter, the computer's ability to "think" logically will be off as well.
The problem is not in fixing the "Millenium Bug," but rather recalling the widespread use of dated machines, that use an internal calendar to keep itself in check. These machines range from personal computers, to navigational systems, satellites, credit card companies, pharmaceutical companies, watches, VCRs, banks, any payroll companies, INTERPOL, airlines and trains, telecommunication devices, thermostats, etc. The list gets more and more scary as it goes on too. This bug also affects the computers that run high-tech weaponry; not just in the US, but world-wide.
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Name: a student Comments:
God, this is scary as hell.
