Computer specialist quits, but it's hoped he'll help city with Y2K buggreenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) : One Thread |
so much for good news...note that the specialist wants to spend time with his family...[for educational purposes only]
Computer specialist quits, but it's hoped he'll help city with Y2K bug
http://www.toledoblade.com:80/editorial/news/9f16y2k.htm
June 16, 1999BY JACK BAESSLER
BLADE STAFF WRITER The city of Toledo's top computer specialist has submitted a letter of resignation, six months before the potential Y2K millennium bug could strike the city's computers.
But Frank Beier, commissioner of administrative services, left open just exactly when he will leave his job.
Mr. Beier called it quits in a letter to city officials and told Councilwoman Betty Shultz he has accepted a job providing computer services for the Diocese of Toledo.
However, city officials said yesterday that they have not accepted his resignation and, pending further discussions with him, hope he will delay his departure.
"We really feel that we need to know the status of Y2K,'' said Dan Hiskey, the city's chief operating officer. "Our position is we would like Frank to stay through the Y2K conversion through January, 2000. That is the direction we are discussing.''
The Y2K problem makes it impossible for computer software to read computer data with the year 2000 entered in it.
Mr. Beier, 54, who is paid $69,300 annually and joined the city in 1997, could not be reached for comment.
Department heads have assured city officials that computers that help operate what to many are the most crucial city services, such as emergency communications, water distribution, sewer services, and criminal-justice records, have been adapted to avoid Y2K ills.
What remains to be addressed are computers that perform more routine workday tasks, such as payroll, billing, and maintaining an assortment of records.
Bids for the final phase to complete the city's desktop conversion for various city offices, including its internal network, are to be opened at the end of the month. The phase's estimated cost is more than $400,000, Mr. Hiskey said.
Ms. Shultz said Mr. Beier told her that he wanted to be able to spend more time with his family.
Regarding the city progress with the Y2K problem, she said: "I am not comfortable with where the city is.
"My concern . . . with the city stems from the fact we are still developing what priorities will be established and the remedial action to be taken.''
John Bibish, acting finance director, told city council that the final phase will involve creating an assortment of computer models that will be used to correct Y2K problems.
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let's see the "pollys" spin this
Mike ==========================================
-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), June 16, 1999
I don't see any spin on this. C'mon, at least one of you polys can refute this.
-- Sandmann (Sandmann@alasbab.com), June 16, 1999.
What's to spin? Somebody quit. Happens all the time. Where I am, people in this salary range quit about weekly, from all departments. Replacements are hired, life goes on smoothly. Is there something special about Toledo?
-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), June 16, 1999.
LOLROTFLMAOTIP LOL LOL Aaiiee, we're gonna die ROTFLOL"Bids for the final phase to complete the city's desktop conversion for various city offices, including its internal network, are to be opened at the end of the month."
Will contestant #1 open the envelope! LOL LOL LOL the desktops haven't been converted! or assessed, prolly LOL LOL We're sorry, we have just learned that everybody is a loser ...
Michael Taylor, thanks for all your fun Forum participation the last few days ... we really wish you'd move up here! Too many ppl we love are in LA ...
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-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), June 16, 1999.
John Bibish, acting finance director...Hmmmm... so when did the previous finance director quit?
-- Mac (sneak@lurk.hid), June 16, 1999.
Ashton and Leska:What is meant by "desktop conversion"? I really don't know. Where I work, we did what we called "desktop conversion" in one day, which consisted of downloading the latest Windows patches from the corporate server. We have about 18,000 employees, so it was no big deal. A few people had problems, which were straightened out within the week.
What do you suppose Toledo is referring to?
-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), June 16, 1999.
FLINT !!!!! Here's your chance. Moonlight hotdog it QUICK !! $400,000 for one day's work and a little follow-up! Oooooooh, that does it. We're enrolling for a Computer Programming degree next semester. WOW !!!!!xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx
-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), June 16, 1999.
Ashton and Leska:If you don't know, why not admit it? It certainly cost us WAY over $400,000 to put Windows 95 on 18,000 desks. And this was just the price of the package, not counting any salaried time to anyone, and not counting the price of upgrades for all of the packages we use (word processors, databases, spreadsheets, Lotus Notes, on and on).
Now, what does Toledo mean by "desktop conversion"?
-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), June 16, 1999.
Flint, please don't do your waffle now and disturb our happy career fog. WOW !!!!!!!!! It doesn't sound like they know what they mean either. Knowing anything doesn't even sound like career criteria! Although it seems to be a universal unanswered wish. "We really feel that we need to know the status of Y2K,'' said Dan Hiskey, the city's chief operating officer." That does sound slightly familiar ... but who cares!? Forget Y2K! Nobody knows anyway. Flint doesn't even know! In fact that's his mantra! And he is begging everybody else to say they don't know either! WOW !!!!OK, we're joining company, we don't know nuttin but we're sure gonna go after this Computer Programming degree! WOW !!!!
Honey, did you hear that Flint big brain! ? !! One day, $400,000, 18,000 ppl serviced, no big deal!!! Call Aunt Betty quick and tell her to have Suzie and Nate enroll with us.
The future is sure lookin' good! Haven't been so excited for MONTHS !!!!
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-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), June 16, 1999.
Sure is a lot of handwaving just to admit ignorance. Maybe with all the song and dance nobody will notice, you think?
-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), June 16, 1999.
You're STILL not happy ?????
We know nuttin, We know nuttin, We know nuttin, didn't you read that?
Why haven't you put the jewel converted confession in your crown and danced madly around your computer in victory? Today should be one of the best days of your life! Why aren't you calling Toledo and sending in your envelope?We're sure happy! New direction in life! We're going to be Computer Programmers and lead the cushy rich life and NOT KNOW !!!!! Oh, why didn't we see it before? And then if it gets hairy we'll just resign with all the moo.lalalalala and spend more time with our families! WOW !!!!!!
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-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), June 16, 1999.
heeheehee, see we gotta go get that degree, wheeheeheeheeheee!
-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), June 16, 1999.
lessee here now, what's gonna work? This here HTML is not exactly logical. Testing ...
-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), June 16, 1999.
Now what? What's gonna make the font normal again?
-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), June 16, 1999.
Ha! that *should* do it! Learning sompin here, even tho we know nuttin! Love this Know Nuttin! Absolves of all responsibility! WheeHeeee!
-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), June 16, 1999.
You're STILL not happy ?????
We know nuttin, We know nuttin, We know nuttin, didn't you read that?
Why haven't you put the jewel converted confession in your crown and danced madly around your computer in victory? Today should be one of the best days of your life! Why aren't you calling Toledo and sending in your envelope?We're sure happy! New direction in life! We're going to be Computer Programmers and lead the cushy rich life and NOT KNOW !!!!! Oh, why didn't we see it before? And then if it gets hairy we'll just resign with all the moo.lalalalala and spend more time with our families! WOW !!!!!!
:^)
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-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), June 16, 1999.
A & L --Uhh...Flint is right.
You two should put some of your excellent research skills to work. That CD you buy cost about 25 cents to manufacture - including burning the data, silkscreening the CD, the color insert, the jewel case and the shrink wrapping. The box and unreadable manual costs more.
Ther are plenty of floppy disks available that will check and repair any and all BIOS systems and chip clocks on any PC.
If Software patches are organized properly by any reasonably competent IT person, desktop remediation can be completed with minimal infliction of pain.
I'm surprised at you two. Yes, software profits are enormous. Yes, anyone can learn how to do it. Most software is not written by rocket-science level people. If it were, we wouldn't have y2k.....
"Buy a second-hand
guitarcomputerchances are you'll go far, if you get in with the right group of fellows.
It's the work that we avoid, cause were all self employed
we love to work at nothin' all day.
CHORUS:
Cause we been takin' care of business, everyday..."
-- alien (alien@this.planet), June 16, 1999.
Sheesh, another font size challenged person! Come join our new Know Nuttin Club! It's FUN. No responsibility, no pressure, waffle wiffle thru life, slide along, oh if only we had heard of this prescription earlier! We unlearn fast too, and Flint is always right, whichever flip he's on, and WE ALL KNOW NOTHING! Yes! How many converts today?Alien, quick, you too send in your bid envelope to Toledo! Team Flint will save them!
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-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), June 16, 1999.
Ashton & Leska...we're talking bug out here at home...wife is finally getting it.Flint...you know I respect you bud...if anyone is gonna refute this I want it to be you.
However, the point that struck me THE MOST about this article was the sense of fear and panic I got from the quotes of the other city officials. That would be PANIC with the biggest point size imaginable if I wasn't HTML challenged!!!
Anyway, in thinking about this I was struck by the early prognostications of programmer flight when it became apparent that deadlines would not, could not, be met in ALL cases.
If you read this,
"What remains to be addressed are computers that perform more routine workday tasks, such as payroll, billing, and maintaining an assortment of records."
I get a sense that regardless of the efforts to fix 911, water, sewage, etc. they have yet to make sure that the people they need to oversee and work those needed services will be paid. That's a little scary when it's June, 1999, and the actual plan to fix these systems isn't done.
This quote says it all, "Regarding the city progress with the Y2K problem, she said: "I am not comfortable with where the city is. "My concern . . . with the city stems from the fact we are still developing what priorities will be established and the remedial action to be taken.'
Oh, and by the way, I don't think they are only talking desktop computer systems and patches. I think they're talking complete systems as in fixing custom software designed for their specific needs. Toledo is not a little country village.
Flint, you're the guy that knows this stuff, not me, and I trust your perspective. But I think you, and your company as success story, are rare. The fact is, IMHO, that this situation in Toledo is more the norm than what you've accomplished.
I totally applaud your work, I just wish there were a few million more of you spread around so interested and vigilant in getting the work done!!!
Mike ==============================================
-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), June 16, 1999.
Michael:My interpretation of the gist of this article is that they have a good handle on their infrastructure stuff, but their backoffice systems have a ways to go yet, and they are moving with very deliberate speed. But I can't know the size of the task facing them (for a city the size of Toledo, $400K doesn't sound like very much), or any of the required implementation details. I doubt very much it will be quick and painless, but that doesn't mean it's hopeless, or that nothing can be done. I'd expect them to have problems, and fire drills, and kludges and workarounds, and delays. It doesn't sound like Toledo will have a smooth transition across the century boundary, but it doesn't sound like the citizens will be all that inconvenienced for the most part -- their emergency communications (read 911) will be working, and their water supply and wastewater will be as well. If a 2 on our scale means very long hours for the poor schmucks who have to deal with remaining problems, then Toledo sounds like they're in for a 2. Which isn't the end of the world.
-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), June 16, 1999.
I don't have anything to contribute to this thread.I would just like to see one of my posts in red, white and blue.
-- GA Russell (ga.russell@usa.net), June 16, 1999.
I kinda of thought the towels would start being thrown in starting at the six month mark. This is just the begining.
-- FLAME AWAY (BLehman202@aol.com), June 16, 1999.
-- turn it off (it's burning my retin@s.com), June 16, 1999.
-- off? (try again@please.com), June 16, 1999.
flint,I guess MCI did it all wrong when they replaced over 12,000 pc's when only a patch would do. That right, 12,000 new y2k compliant Compacts. At least it didn't effect MCI's stock price yet.
-- y2k dave (xsdaa111@hotmail.com), June 17, 1999.
Hope that fixes it!"I don't have anything to contribute to this thread.
I would just like to see one of my posts in red, white and blue. -- GA Russell (ga.russell@usa.net), June 16, 1999."
Sorry, white doesn't show up too well! :-)
-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), June 17, 1999.
lol Gayla!!! thanks!Mike ====================================================================
-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), June 17, 1999.
Gayla, you can hide secret messages with white fontPass your mouse over this message...
-- null color (heehee@whooee.com), June 17, 1999.
That is SOOOOOOOOO cool!! Thanks, null!!
-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), June 17, 1999.
Yessssssss! whoooeeeeee heeeheeeeheeeee funtime
-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), June 17, 1999.
Bold off?
-- regular (zzz@z.z), June 17, 1999.
y2k Dave:Yes, it's my strong suspicion that MCI did it wrong. Stories about 'noncompliant' PC hardware are mythical, and although there are noncompliant BIOS chips out there, in 99.9% of the cases all you need to do is set the correct date after rollover, and you'll be good until the battery dies. Then replace the battery and do it again.
All too many organizations don't understand this, and do a 'superstitious' mass PC replacement. If you need the power of the latest PC, fine. But for y2k compliance only, this is an expensive mistake.
-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), June 17, 1999.
from Paul Milne on csy2k (we're getting csy2k thru eMail newsgroup so we'd have to hunt for the URL; if you really want the URL hunt it down yourself; it's listed on a bunch of other threads ;^)Another Y2K Honcho Bails Out
Ms. Shultz said Mr. Beier told her that he wanted to be able to spend more time with his family.
Regarding the city progress with the Y2K problem, she said: "I am not comfortable with where the city is.
"My concern . . . with the city stems from the fact we are still developing what priorities will be established and the remedial action to be taken.'' . . .
================================
... Toledo is not the only city in this predicament, but rather, is demonstrative of where the majority of them are.It is most amazing how these honchos develop such familial desires as the failure to reach their deadlines approach.
Here are a few more that you will hear:
"I promised my son that I would take him trout fishing. In Alaska."
"Selling my Company stocks has NOTHING to do with Y2K."
"All my life, I wanted to devote myself to agriculture, and now, that I have reached this point in my life, just a few short working days from the advent of any possible Y2K consequences when I will be sorely needed, I have reached deep down inside myself and have made the difficult and heart-wrenching decision to allow my sub-ordinates to step forth and shine in my abscence, while I lay aside the mantle of CIO, and don the frock of a common country gentleman. I have the deepest regard for their abilities and they have earned the right to step into this leadershop position."
... Paul Milne ...
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-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), June 20, 1999.
Milne wrote:"It is most amazing how these honchos develop such familial desires as the failure to reach their deadlines approach."
What's even more amazing is that there are millions of remediation projects going on, and from all indications the rate of honchos bailing and the rate of unloading stock appears to be *less* than the historically normal rate. Look at the attention we're paying to this one single example (of someone who decided his church was more important than his city).
I admit I expected such bailouts to be happening in waves by now. Maybe they'll start next month?
-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), June 20, 1999.