Poll Shows Fewer Bugged By Y2K

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) : One Thread

Poll Shows Fewer Bugged By Y2K

By Martin Stone, Newsbytes

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, U.S.A.,

24 Nov 1999, 6:15 AM CST

Educational purposes only.

Only three percent of Americans are concerned with the Y2K Problem, according to a Gallup poll released today by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and USA Today.

More than half surveyed, however, said they would not travel as the new century dawns.

The survey shows that, with only 38 days until the new year, Americans are even less worried now about Year 2000-related computer glitches than they were three to nine months ago, even though a full 90 percent say they have seen or heard "some or a great deal" about the issue.

Gallup's/USA Today's study is the fourth of its kind conducted since December 1998.

Polls were also conducted in March and September of this year. All four surveys asked the same questions in an effort to track trends in the public attitude toward Y2K, the pollsters said.

The most recent study found that only three percent of Americans - down from seven percent last August - now think major problems will result due to Millennium-related computer errors. Forty-one percent now believe Y2K computer problems will last "only a few days around Jan. 1, 2000," up from the 15 percent who held this view in December, 1998.

A full 51 percent of respondents - down from 56 percent in August and 67 percent in March - now say Y2K effects may last from "several weeks" or "from several months to a year."

The poll found that 55 percent (43 percent in August) say they will avoid traveling on airplanes on or around January 1, while the recent poll found a leveling off of a downward trend (34 percent now from 35 percent in August, 43 percent in March and 46 percent last December) in respondents believing air traffic control systems will fail.

The current poll found a continuous downward trend, from 63 percent in December, 1998 to 38 percent now, in the number of Americans who believe banking and accounting systems will fail. However, more Americans say they will obtain special confirmation or documentation of their bank account balances, retirement funds, or other financial records (58 percent in November, up from 51 percent in August).

A little more than 25 percent (down from 36 percent last December) say 911 emergency systems will fail and a larger number of Americans say they will stock up on gasoline (28 percent now, up from 21 percent in August).

Other findings show that more than 9 of 10 respondents say they will not withdraw all their money from the bank. Twenty-five percent, however, say they will set aside a large amount of cash, and more (40 percent, up from 36 percent in August) say they will stockpile food and water, and 13 percent say they will buy generators or wood stoves. Only 32 percent presently believe food and retail distribution systems will fail.

According to George Strawn, NSF's Computer Networking Division Director, "These poll results continue to show that a well-informed and educated public is better able to understand the consequences of Y2K and make decisions for themselves and their families. This poll is further evidence that as the public's knowledge and awareness of Y2K has risen over the past 11 months, Americans' level of worry or concern has declined."

The nationwide telephone poll surveyed 1,010 adults between Nov. 18 and Nov. 21.

Gallup said the margin of error is plus or minus three percentage points.

USA Today is a Newsbytes publishing partner.

Reported by Newsbytes.com, http://www.newsbytes.com

-- Cherri (sams@brigadoon.com), November 24, 1999

Answers

"A full 51 percent of respondents - down from 56 percent in August and 67 percent in March - now say Y2K effects may last from "several weeks" or "from several months to a year."

Still not encouraging, is it? Of course, opinions don't necessarily make it a reality. Effects both Trolls and Doomers alike - what you wish for isn't what may happen.

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), November 24, 1999.


Cherri:

I truly feel better. Let's make sure this latest info is entered into all computers everywhere. Then our problems are solved.

{snicker}

-- mushroom (mushroom_bs_too_long@yahoo.com), November 24, 1999.


Here's another way of asking the question:

"Given that all government departments and utiltites said that they would have completed their fixes by 31-December-1998, and many of them have only reported completion within the last month, how confident are you that there will be no material disruption to services on 1-Jan-2000?"

90% say that they know "some or a great deal"? What is THAT supposed to mean? Some == read a leaflet/saw a 30 second new slot.

:(

-- Colin MacDonald (roborogerborg@yahoo.com), November 24, 1999.


So, as of 18-21 November, "13 percent say they will buy generators or woodstoves."

Uhhh... No they won't.

It's too damned late for that many people to locate a stove or generator, buy it, install it, stock wood or fuel, & then figure out how to use it safely. Anyone with a serious mind to do so already has.

Those people are just talking. Proof that these polls are crap.

-- who (believes@this.rubbish), November 24, 1999.


Whoa!

The REAL fix for the Y2k problem. A poll! I feel better already!

-- X (X@X.com), November 24, 1999.



The people are asleep and the roller coaster hasn't left the station yet...

ask them again after the ride starts.

...(hitting the)...

-- snooze button (alarmclock_2000@yahoo.com), November 24, 1999.


LOL LOL LOL

-- (TrollPatrol@here.com), November 24, 1999.

Cherri, You are practicing the fine art of irony, right. It must be so, since you can't be as dumb as you sound. You really are a brilliant but obsessed doomer.

-- Noone (Noone@none.com), November 24, 1999.

Gee, Cherri, you and others in Doc Paulie's lodge of IT arrogance might also be interested in a recent public opinion poll linking Y2k and an over dependence on technology.

Poll linking Y2k to too much dependence on technology

Regardless of how Y2k plays out, what might this mean to many of those who are joyfully making fun of "doomers," i.e. people in the omnipotent IT profession? Tom Benjamin may have predicted the future: "You - and your ilk - have been saying "The money is spent, the show is over, and we are going home for the holidays--bye--for months and months and years and years." Benjamin says the Government listened to you. Now, if the Government is wrong, what do you think it will say? Benjamin wrote, "They are going to say "What do we know about computers? We listened to the (computer) experts. Blame them, not us. "We're going to find out whether you are right or not. We are prepared for the best. If you are right, your "profession" will lose because it is obvious that we have been sold a pig in a poke. We don't need 90% of the crap we have bought from software engineers. "Software engineers have lost the public trust no matter what happens. We will cut way back on IT spending because it will be obvious that this stuff is not nearly as important as we thought. "We will decide that all that spending on non-mission critical stuff was a waste of money and an IT ripoff. "On the other hand, if you are wrong, the Government will point its finger at you, (because it was advised by the IT profession) and Joe Public will be happy to rip you limb from limb. "Doomers aren't on the spot. Pollyanna software engineers are front and centre, the only voices being heard. The ol' bullseye is painted on your chest. No matter what happens software engineers have about six weeks before they become less popular than lawyers." (Oh, and let us not forget the bloated bug farm headed our way in the form of Windows 2000 that may once again force most of us to buy new computers.) Take THAT back to the Polly lair.

-- we (shall@see.yep), November 24, 1999.


Software engineers have about six weeks before they become less popular than lawyers...????? THAT bad? Makes me glad I've been telling people that I've been dealing drugs all this time (a lot more respectable, y'know?).

-- I'm Here, I'm There (I'm Everywhere@so.beware), November 24, 1999.


Forty-one percent now believe Y2K computer problems will last "only a few days around Jan. 1, 2000," up from the 15 percent who held this view in December, 1998.

Since 41% think there will only be a "few days" to worry about, I don't expect to see mass hoarding of food, gas, or oil products. Besides, every person I know, has enough food to last their family for a week or more without a disaster. Who goes to the grocery store to shop for one or two days?

Even if that number rises to 65% concerned, what percentage of that will fill up their tank causing shortages for 1 - 2 days? Most people are too busy taking care of their children, pets, laundry, dirty dishes, jobs, spouses, parents, etc. to actually sit in line at the gas station. If even half of that 65% fills up, I'd be shocked.

The bottom line is: People are apathetic to Y2K.

If they were concerned, there would be far more people in y2k chat rooms, and I would see them stocking up in the stores. Either the majority of the people can't afford it, or they just don' care.

-- (Ladylogic46@aol.com), November 24, 1999.


Cherri,

Thanks for the um... post. You just keep on keeping on. (grin)

Sincerely,
Stan Faryna

Ready for Y2K? Got 14 days of water, food, way to keep warm and cook?
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=001o cf

Cooperative Preps : Have you checked out the deals we can get on  preps?

One time deal on a inexpensive grain mill
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=001q Sw

Water filters for less than suggested retail
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=001q T8

Gas masks, potassium iodide, solar ovens, etc
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=001q TK

Aladdins: the kerosene lamp for readers
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=001p 1v



-- Stan Faryna (faryna@groupmail.com), November 24, 1999.

Like broken computer code gives a rat's ass how people FEEL about Y2K????? Cherri, you have just plain out-ditsyed yourself on this one.

-- King of Spain (madrid@aol.cum), November 24, 1999.

During the impeachment process for Bill Clinton, the majority of the people felt he should stay in office. In a recent poll, Mr. Clinton and vice president Hillary Clinton were listed in the top 10 as the most evil people in the world. If memory serves me right, Mr. Clinton was #2 and Hitler was #1. Funny how people change their minds so quickly.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), November 24, 1999.

Bardou - That's a bunch of crap.

In a recent poll, Mr. Clinton and vice president Hillary Clinton were listed in the top 10 as the most evil people in the world.

That poll could not have been taken in this country. People around here adore those assholes.

If memory serves me right, Mr. Clinton was #2 and Hitler was #1. Funny how people change their minds so quickly.

I think you have Alzheimer's.

-- (Ladylogic@aol.com), November 24, 1999.



Bardou , the latest Bill and Hillary poll was taken among conservatives while the earlier poll was taken by the general population. So I don't think a comparison of the two polls would mean much.

-- Butt Nugget (catsbutt@umailme.com), November 24, 1999.

According to George Strawn, NSF's Computer Networking Division Director, "These poll results continue to show that a well-informed and educated public is better able to understand the consequences of Y2K and make decisions for themselves and their families. This poll is further evidence that as the public's knowledge and awareness of Y2K has risen over the past 11 months, Americans' level of worry or concern has declined."

It's good to know that the entity conducting this poll has no bias. Their name may say "science," but that spirit seems lacking on this occasion.

-- David L (bumpkin@dnet.net), November 24, 1999.


These polls could change drastically overnight if gasoline lines appear. Gasoline stocks are extremely low and it will be interesting to see what develops over the next 3 or 4 weeks.

-- Danny (dcox@ix.netcom.com), November 24, 1999.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ