Fear of the Year 2000 bug is a problem, too

Article Abstract:

A number of regulatory groups, Year 2000 project managers and other officials are concerned about the possible panic of U.S. citizens in response to dire warnings about the ramifications of the Year 2000 programming bug. Experts fear that some of the possible reactions could include hoarding of food and fuel, bank runs, fires resulting from misuse of recently-purchased generators and wood-burning stoves, and violence from increased purchases of firearms to deal with possible civil unrest. Certain industries have begun to address the public's concerns in order to prevent any over-reaction. The Federal Reserve plans to print additional currency to assure that banks have enough if people plan to remove extra money from their accounts. The American Red Cross has offered a number of recommendations to prepare for possible disruptions of basic services.

Product standards, safety, & recalls, Computer maintenance & repair, Computer Engineering Services, Computer and Office Machine Repair and Maintenance, Psychological aspects, Planning, Forecasts and trends, Industry trend, Prevention, Engineering services, Abstract, Computer programmers, Computer aided engineering, Social issue, Social conditions, Program errors, Bugs (Software), Panic

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Companies still hesitate to share Year 2000 information

Article Abstract:

Companies have been reluctant to share information to solve Year 2000 computer problems because of the fear of lawsuits, according to numerous trade groups' reports to the Government. Corporate Year 2000 specialists, lawyers and consultants also hold that a Oct 1998 Federal law, designed to minimize legal action on Year 2000 information, has accomplished few results. This Good Samaritan law narrowly covers how Year 2000 applies to a firm's own products and services. It also takes a broader view of how outside Year 2000 troubles could impact companies. Questions have arisen since the law's passage, however. A common complaint is that lawyers, whom companies have been consulting heavily on the law's interpretation, are discouraging cooperation. Other issues include company concerns that regulators or rivals could take advantage of new information.

Government regulation, Safety and security measures, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, Technology overview, Data security, Data security issue

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