(Billnote: The "Joanne Effect" is a year 2000 term for what happens to accounting systems that haven't been fixed when they do their "look-aheads," or perform calculations that need to look out one year. The problems stemming from this particular aspect of business computing are expected to increase as more and more businesses and organizations roll into their next fiscal year. To see a chart of what one longtime mainframe computer programmer predicts the "disruption pattern" to be due to the Joanne Effect, click here. The following is a brief account of a related situation I was emailed. It clearly points out why it's crucial that all organizations make sure the computers and software that manage their accounting systems are in year 2000 working order: You don't want this happening to you or the organization you work with!)

From: terstec1@webtv.net Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 Subject: RE: joanne effect?

I am from Seattle. I worked for a small non-profit organization there. I warned them about y2k early last year and possible bookkeeping and accounting software problems that they rely heavily on with various microsoft software packages. Their bookeeper told them y2k was all a bunch of hype and it was just a matter of typing in the new dates etc. They now have a new bookeeper and lot's of headaches with straightening this out. They have had to cut back on services and ask for funds to straighten these problems out. They are not advertising this to the world and seem embarrassed and very flustered. I only know about it because i used to work there and have maintained e-mail contact with some of the employees. They have even had problems finding my address on the computer to send me a 1099 tax form. They recently asked me why I did not cash checks I received in OCT 98 and should they re-issue them. I assure you I cashed the checks and spent the money long ago. This is sad because this a struggling non-profit that can ill afford these types of problems. People are being laid off. Because we are not seeing these stories in the media does not mean they are not happening.

Terry

-- Bill (billdale@lakesnet.net), February 20, 1999