>p>Here it is- and it *is* worth reading. It is a page one story:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/business/daily/feb99/y2k24.htm

If that didn't work, here it is for cut & paste purposes (I'm in a big hurry, of course):

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/business/daily/feb99/y2k24.htm

-- Drew Parkhill/CBN News (y2k@cbn.org), February 23, 1999

Answers

OK, so I couldn't stay in bed. (what can I say? I get up EARLY on Wednesdays.) Thanks Drew for the link. It's a major leap forward for the DGI contingent, though no big surprises for Yourdonites. Anyone want to speculate on that uneasy shifting we're all feeling in the herd as the thunderstorm draws nigh? Gawd, just got a flashback of that last scene from Terminator I.

-- Cash (cash@andcarry.com), February 23, 1999.

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Let's see if this fixes the blockquote . . .

Once the Post gets in the water, many more will jump in too. Thanks for the link Drew.

-- David (David@BankPacman.com), February 23, 1999.

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Thanks for the link, Drew. Here's something to ponder, from the article:

"Venezuela and Saudi Arabia lag from a year to 18 months behind the United States in Y2K preparations, raising concerns about the availability of oil and other critical imports, the report said."

If these countries are 12-18 months behind us, and our oil facilities as of 2/23/1999 are by and large not yet fully remediated and tested, where will that leave them on 1/1/2000?

How much evidence does it take to convince rational people that serious problems lie ahead?

-- Nabi Davidson (nabi7@yahoo.com), February 23, 1999.

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Nabi: Apparently, a whole lot more. After all, the PR machine has gone into overdrive...

Juicy report, though. It will definitely wake up some folks.

-- Steve Hartsman (hartsman@ticon.net), February 24, 1999.

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Gee, I wonder what spin the Post will run the following day, considering the bad/good news we just got from them with the whole DC thing. <:)=

PS - Thanks Drew.

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), February 24, 1999.

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Thank you, Cash, SOB & Drew. Here's the link to the thread leading into this thread:

Drudge: Wash. Post says Senate report calls y2k potentially devasting

xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx

-- Leska (allaha@earthlink.net), February 24, 1999.

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... and one more </blockquote>

-- No Spam Please (anon@ymous.com), February 24, 1999.

Since Washington Post links often die within two weeks...

"Study Says Y2K Risks Widespread"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/business/daily/feb99/y2k24.htm

1998 Post series: The Millennium Bug Study Says Y2K Risks Widespread By Stephen Barr

Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, February 24, 1999; Page A1

A report on the Year 2000 computer problem prepared by a special Senate panel warns that a number of foreign countries and U.S. economic sectors, especially the health care industry, appear at significant risk for technological failures and business disruptions.

The report, scheduled for release this week by Sens. Robert F. Bennett (R-Utah) and Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.), includes a letter to Senate colleagues describing the problem of computers' ability to recognize dates starting on Jan. 1, 2000, popularly known as Y2K, as a "worldwide crisis" and as "one of the most serious and potentially devastating events this nation has ever encountered."

The prospect of widespread computer glitches and lobbying by industry groups have galvanized bipartisan groups in the Senate and House to press for legislation protecting companies that fail to deliver goods and services on time because of Y2K problems.

Rep. David Dreier (R-Calif.) estimated yesterday there might be $1 trillion in lawsuits filed because of the glitch and urged adoption of an industry-backed House bill to allay "a great deal of fear regarding out-of-control litigation."

A draft copy of the Senate report, provided by staff aides to The Washington Post, describes in vivid detail the scope of the potential Y2K problem and the frustrations that Senate investigators encountered as they tried to gather information from industries reluctant to describe what progress they have made in fixing computer and telecommunication systems.

But the report represents the most comprehensive assessment of the Y2K problem to appear as companies and governments scramble to fix their computer systems. In addition to health care, the report portrays the oil, education, farming, food processing and construction sectors as seriously lagging on computer repairs.

Among the report's findings: More than 90 percent of doctors' offices and 50 percent of small- and medium-sized companies have not addressed the Y2K problem; telephone systems are expected to operate; and planes will not fall out of the sky. The Senate panel also worries that communities will not be able to provide "911" and other emergency services.

Even though governments and corporations have mobilized technology staffs and consultants to sift through millions of lines of software code looking for Y2K glitches, the 161-page draft also underscores how little experts know about the potential impact of the so-called millennium bug.

"The interdependent nature of technology systems makes the severity of possible disruptions difficult to predict. Adding to the confusion, there are still very few overall Year 2000 technology compliance assessments of infrastructure or industry sectors. Consequently, the fundamental questions of risk and personal preparedness cannot be answered at this time," the draft said.

Clinton administration officials have portrayed the Y2K problem as similar to a severe winter snowstorm that causes inconveniences but little lasting harm. Yesterday, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan assured Americans that they can keep their money in the bank over New Year's 2000 without fear.

"There's almost no conceivable way . . . that computers will break down and records of people's savings accounts would disappear," he told the Senate Banking Committee.

Still, almost all government agencies are drawing up emergency plans, including the Fed, which plans to stockpile an extra $200 billion in cash for banks, about a third more than usual.

The Senate report, which grew out of a series of hearings last year by the Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem, concludes "that the biggest Y2K impact will occur internationally."

Two important trading partners, Japan and Venezuela, seem to have miscalculated the time and money needed to fix the computer glitch, according to the draft report.

Relying on surveys by consultants, the report suggests that Japan "may have underestimated the resources needed to address the problem," noting that major Japanese banks have indicated far lower repair costs than U.S. banks.

Venezuela and Saudi Arabia lag from a year to 18 months behind the United States in Y2K preparations, raising concerns about the availability of oil and other critical imports, the report said.

International ports are widely described as far behind in their Y2K efforts, prompting worries that the maritime industry will face shipping problems that could interrupt commerce, the report added.

International aviation and foreign airports also appear at risk, and "flight rationing to some areas and countries is possible," the report said.

Overall, the report said, "the least-prepared countries are those that depend heavily on foreign investment and multinational companies to supplement their economies. Panic over Y2K concerns may cause investors to withdraw financial support. Lack of confidence in a country's infrastructure could cause multinational companies to close their operations."

[snip]

In assessing U.S. preparedness, the draft report reserved some of its strongest language for the health care industry, concluding it "is one of the worst-prepared for Y2K and carries a significant potential for harm."

The industry relies on computers for patient treatment, insurance claims and pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution. While large hospitals are pushing to fix their computers, the report described hospital management as "playing a catch-up game."

Many hospitals are relying solely on medical device manufacturers to certify products as Y2K-compliant, which the report said "could be a serious mistake."

The report cited rural and inner-city hospitals as at special risk because they do not have the staff or money to find and fix Y2K glitches.

In an effort to head off a potential avalanche of lawsuits caused by Y2K glitches, a bipartisan group of House members yesterday introduced a bill to address litigation issues. Sen. John McCain (R- Ariz.) has introduced a similar bill, and Sens. Orrin G. Hatch (R- Utah) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) plan to announce their version today.

Although the House bill has the support of major business organizations, Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.), the measure's principal author, stressed that the measure was "pro-consumer" because it will "encourage businesses to come in and fix their problems."

The Year 2000 Readiness and Responsibility Act would require plaintiffs to give notice to potential defendants about their difficulties, wait 30 days for a response and give the defendant an additional 60 days to fix a glitch before suing.

Under the bill, plaintiffs may recover actual damages, but punitive damages would be capped.

Staff writer Guy Gugliotta contributed to this report.

) Copyright 1999 The Washington Post Company

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), February 24, 1999.

It'll be interesting to see what the markets do today...

-- pshannon (pshannon@inch.com), February 24, 1999.

"...and planes will not fall out of the sky." Other than this usual stupid standard junk, it is a great article.

But I still say: Until people are personally affected by Y2K, most will not worry too much. But be warned: this could happen as early as April -- just a little more than a month from now -- when various places do fiscal rollovers to Year 2000 (e.g., Canada, New York State).

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), February 24, 1999.

I enjoyed the story, but it wasn't on the front page. In the final edition, at least, the story was inside the A section, no matter what the web site says. (Heck, what do I know? I just get it delivered to my doorstep every day.)

-- Declan McCullagh (declan@y2kculture.com), February 24, 1999.

Declan,

I have my paper copy of the Post right here on my desk. The Y2K story is indeed right there, smack dab on page one. I don't know which edition I have, but there it is...

-- Drew Parkhill/CBN News (y2k@cbn.org), February 24, 1999.