On USENET, I learned years ago the "evils" of posting off-topic. I've got the scars to prove it, so-to-speak.

What is the topic here? It seems to me that there are a few possibilities (among others): 1) only deal with Y2K awareness, and whether Y2K is a "Big Deal", 2) for those folks who assume Y2K is going to be a "Big Deal", also include topics related to the aftermath or 3) ONLY include topics related to the aftermath.

I tend to assume problems, and concern myself with the aftermath. Any number of sites have volumes of static data describing a) the problem and b) how to prepare. A lot of people complain about off-topic posts, but in going to the "About" link at the top of the main forum page, I can't picture a clear purpose for this forum.

-- Anonymous99 (Anonymous99@anonymous.com), February 10, 1999

Answers

Well, Okay, let's take a look at the topic statement:

"This forum is intended for people who are concerned about the impact of the Y2000 problem on their personal lives, and who want to discuss various fallback contingency plans with other like-minded people. It's not intended to provide advice/guidance for solving Y2000 problems within an IT organization."

It seems fairly clear actually - since it is for folks who are concerned about the impact of the y2k problem on their personal lives, the underlying presumption is that there will be at least some problems.

If one looks at the forum and sees how this has been borne out over time one sees that the greater part of the forum's energies are expended on attempts to define the limits of the problem based on the available data.

The other main area of the forum - "fallback contingency planning" is what takes up the rest of the discussion among the regular posters - alternative solutions to a wide variety of possible situations directly resulting from y2k related malfunctions.

not resulting from anything else.

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), February 10, 1999.

It seems that to many folks here, off-topic is defined as, "Anything that I ain't interested in!!"

-- rick blaine (y2kazoo@hotmail.com), February 10, 1999.

I've been reading this forum for a couple days, and Rick hit the nail on its head. Too many self appointed netcops what in hell is the matter with some of these people? Looks like they want to narrow the focus of the discussions so much that the rest of us wind up with tunnel vision. Ive never seen so much bleating in my life. Look people Y2K is on its way and there are a LOT of semi-related issues that need airing, so if you don't have something constructive to say, just shut up and let things flow. And stop worrying what the media or gov might make use of re: things mentioned here, if they don't see what they want here they'll just make it up. Gary

-- Gary (gdonia@earthcom.com), February 10, 1999.

If there's something on your mind, and it's weighing heavy on your soul, and you don't have any other outlet to seek help, just ask it here. You'll either get lots of advice or you'll be ignored. If those of you who don't want to respond, the mouse is in your hand and you know what to do with it.

-- justdoit (Justdoit@ready.com), February 11, 1999.