Those Preparations Were Not For Naught Prevention Pays Off The Y2K Bug Was Real And Countermeasures Against It Worked

Fri., Dec. 29, 2000

By Jackie Van Allen jackiev@spokesman.com

Y2K: Hype or preventative measures?

The struggle to head off the so-called Y2K computer bug was not hype; it was real. The preparations made by most companies and government agencies prevented major disruptions from occurring.

Luckily, Y2K slipped quietly into the night.

No one wanted a major catastrophe but the possibility of catastrophe kept millions up past midnight last January.

Some may argue that Y2K was a waste of time, that we were duped. With no major catastrophes to point to, it is difficult to argue with them.

When precaution is taken and nothing happens, there is no proof you prevented anything from happening.

Many companies formed Y2K committees to test their computers, checking mainly for two-digit date fields and how the computer would react to 2000. Based on their findings, companies purchased new hardware, software and completed new computer programs.

If that had not occurred, the majority of computers 10 or more years old would have had difficulties working past 1999. This investment of time and resources beforehand saved companies money. Repairs after a crisis has struck usually are more expensive than preventing a problem or limiting its effects.

Y2K could have been more disruptive to the stability of the republic than this year’s election process. But since nothing happened, it has quickly faded from memory.

It is similar to having car insurance. It is against the law to drive without car insurance, yet some drivers choose to take their chances. They may get by with no insurance, for awhile, but then they have an accident. Yes, they saved $600 or more a year but now they owe thousands in medical bills and car repairs. The $600 for prevention is far cheaper than the costs of reacting to a disaster.

Y2K preparations were not limited to the business or government sectors. Some neighborhoods formed networks. People talked to their neighbors, found out who had generators or a two-year supply of food. Y2K opened the door to get to know neighbors down the street who may otherwise have remained strangers.

Y2K was hyped. But after the hype was stripped away, the essential message remained: Be prepared.

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