> That's the problem I have with most of the Y2K people. They never seem to explain >why< all these systems will fail. They just give some vague description about embedded chips using dates and that they'll fail.

I've read reports that some embedded systems such as those that monitor the operating temperature of machinery in power stations plot the temperature gradient across time and that when it gets to be 01/01/00 they are going to throw a wobbly because they won't know that 00 is greater than 99.

Whether or not this is true I have no idea.

I have also heard that Social Security is pretty much on schedule to be Y2K compliant, but that the IRS and the Pentagon are lagging behind. I'm not sure whether it makes it less likely that they'll overtax us or start an accidental war (their systems will be down) or whether their systems will just be running off-kilter and we'll bomb innocent citizens and tax the $^&^# out of Iraq.

I think that there is a lot of Y2K hysteria due to an unfortunate synchronicity between christians who expect that their god runs to a human (and demonstrably inaccurate) calendar and legacy computer architecture & systems. It seems to me that there is a significant minority who both expect and want Y2K to be the end of civilization as we know it.

My only concession will be to buy some more water purification tabs. -- I have some for camping anyway -- and make sure I have a full tank of gas in the car. Other than that my normal winter stocks of candles, basic non-perishable food, toilet paper and aspirin will have to suffice. Winter storms with power outages are pretty much a guarantee in the north east USA.

Jen