Representative John Linder (R-GA-11) will introduce legislation to move Uncle Sam's official observance of New Year's from Friday, Dec. 31, to Mon., Jan 3. 2000 claiming it will give technicians an extra work day to fix any bugs.

"I have written a bill that provides the public and technology professionals with an additional day, prior to the first workday in January 2000, to begin repairs on failed computer systems caused by the Year 2000 computer problem. In 2000, we do have a few days to recover after the Y2K problem hits because January 1st falls on Saturday. However, we lose one potential additional day because the New Years Day federal holiday  by law  must be observed on the previous Friday, December 31, 1999. My proposal is to move the New Years Day holiday in the year 2000 to Monday, January 3, 2000."

Linder Letters

-- Mark Mastrorilli (mamsam@injersey.com), January 25, 1999

Answers

its good to know the folks in washington are "working hard" on this one.

-- a (a@a.a), January 25, 1999.

Let's not be sarcastic. They're on the right track. Let's make New Year's Day on January 4, 2000 since, according to the Gartner Group, it should be possible to fix most Y2K problems within 72 hours.

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), January 25, 1999.

This is such a joke. As a software developer who has seen projects delayed by 6 months on THE DAY OF DELIVERY, this is laughable. Programmers dream that they can pull off a miracle until the last second. That's why all the progress reports are bullsh**. They always are in software.

-- Ray in PA (nomail@work.com), January 25, 1999.

"genuis" should be, genius. I hope.

-- Mike T. (anita_martini@hotmail.com), January 25, 1999.

Well, what if, globally we all decide to set the year back to 1999, as in the "daylight savings time" model, and give everyone one more year?

The only non-agreeable group would be the embedded chips. (Ouch! They bite, uh byte).

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), January 25, 1999.

Diane has a point,

when the systems start reporting the year 1900, let's all just go with the flow! I think we all need a "redo" on the 1900's. Think about it... a chance to rewrite the history books with no world wars.

-- (anaa@abc.com), January 25, 1999.

I'm in favor of Linder's bill because passage will enable me to win another of my Y2k wagers. :-)

-- No Spam Please (anon@ymous.com), January 25, 1999.

Good idea Diane, does that mean I will become one year younger? The politicians are all nuts!

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), January 26, 1999.

Yes, it will help -

First, awareness is helped by the fed's action (not words) - even if in little bits.

Second, it saves money because 1/4/2000 is likely to be zero production anyway by workers, who should be home with their families if there are infrastructure failures- so why not put the fed workers at home where they belong and can do something?

Third, it lets the building and maintenenace crews check HVAC and security and heating systems and elevators without workers around - assuming power is available anyway.

Fourth, it lets supervisors and network administrators do somethings without workers around to figure out if the next day is a "snow" day anyway. (At least in places where power is up.)

So what's wrong with four (minor) positive things?

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), January 27, 1999.