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With All the Talk About the Y2K Problem, it's Time to Separate Myth From Fact and Show You the Options. By Muyi Shogbuyi
There have been a number of "fear" messages and propaganda out there about Y2K. Some of these concerns and worries are quite legitimate. Others are merely "scare tactics" aimed at drumming up some business.
Legitimate or not, you need to be aware of what the problem really is and what you should be concerned about.
In a nutshell, Y2K refers to the computers themselves. Most computer systems were originally set up to recognize dates using the last two digits of a year. For example, 1998=98, 1999=99 and 2000=00.
The problem lies with the year "00" which might be recognized as 1900 instead of 2000. The year 1900, of course, is a year in our history, while 2000 is the beginning of a new one, which we are looking forward to with eagerness.
Now because of the confusion of the year "00" which could occur, there have been some gloomy predictions. Why? Because any product which relies on a computer chip to function is at risk. According to some people, this means that at the stroke of midnight on the first day of 2000, "your power will go out," "your phone lines will go dead," "your bank accounts will be erased," and on and on.
The question now arises whether or not this will actually happen or if it's simply a baseless fear. Here is where you need to be concerned though and, perhaps, take some actions or precautions.
Do you use a personal computer, cash register, answering machine, fax machine, printer or other computer-based office equipment? Or software programs for accounting, word processing and data storage?
If you do and they haven't been updated, chances are they may not be Y2K compliant. What this means is that your business operation or computer-related operation could be at risk.
Relax! Here's what you can do to be sure or to make assurances that you're in good shape. Contact the following places to get more information. That way, if the worst does happen, you'll be protected.
1. The Small Business Administration (SBA)--They have a Federal Information Y2K Gateway you can use to find out if your business is Y2K compliant. Go to www.sba.gov/y2k.2. The Information Technology Association of America--Visit their site at www.itaa.org/year2000index.htm and read about Y2K there.
3. SBA's Y2K Fax-Back Service--Call 1-877-789-2565 to receive faxes pertaining to whether or not your business is Y2K compliant. Use this line only if you don't have access to the Internet. Because of its popularity, this line is frequently busy.
4. SBA Answer Desk--Call 1-800-872-5722 to get routed to the best sources of Y2K information to meet your business needs.
The Y2K issue--are the fears real or unreal? This is your chance to find out and be safe. Don't be sorry.
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