Frequently asked questions to end the millennium

Uncertainty surrounds a bug that could cause computers to confuse the year 2000 with 1900. This FAQ will do nothing to change that.

By Scott Kirsner

Dec 27, 1999 | Okay, you've got less than a week before the new millennium hits and you've suddenly realized that, beyond purchasing a pair of 62 kilowatt diesel generators, you haven't done a thing to prepare yourself. Is it too late? What is everyone else doing? And most importantly, will Mr. Coffee still be capable of brewing his magic elixir on Jan. 1?

I don't pretend to know the answers to any of these questions, but I was asked to weigh in, based on having researched and written about the Y2K problem for more than two years, and having watched six and a half minutes of NBC's made-for-TV movie "Y2K," starring Ken Olin. I felt a sense of obligation and duty. If civilization collapsed as a result of widespread Y2K glitches, I didn't want to be sitting at home wracked with guilt that I could've done more to try to prevent it. I wanted to be out looting at the mall.

Hoping that a well-crafted FAQ might allay fears, if not actually save humanity, I began constructing one. I borrowed heavily from existing FAQs, like those written by the Mahir "I Kiss You!!!" Cagri Fan Club and the sci.bio.entomology.lepidoptera newsgroup. And now, here is my definitive list of frequently asked questions about the turn of the millennium:

What are the roots of the Y2K problem?

Contrary to media reports, the mainframe programmers of the 1960s were not shortsighted in using just two digits to represent the year (99 instead of 1999, for example); they were actually quite forward-thinking. Anticipating a depressing state of date-lessness on the biggest Friday night of their lives, they devised the millennium bug to provide a plausible reason to spend New Year's Eve 1999 in front of a monitor, watching for system anomalies and purchasing Seven of Nine collectibles on eBay.

How should I prepare for December 31?

Experts recommend assembling the same amount of food and supplies you'd have on hand for a blizzard, hurricane or other serious storm. Keeping paper records of bank and brokerage accounts from December 1999 through January or February of 2000 is also advisable. Stockpiling a year's supply of grits is probably overkill.

What should I be most concerned about on New Year's Day?

Well, if the U.S. government is right, not any Y2K technology troubles. Terrorism is top of the list for New Year's fears. After the December arrest of an Algerian man who was caught smuggling nitroglycerin across the Canadian border, federal officials have ordered increased security at government buildings and airports. President Clinton has advised Americans to be aware and report suspicious situations, but not to panic. The people should "go about their holidays and enjoy themselves." So by all means break out the party hats and kazoos -- but you may want to use discretion with the pyrotechnics, especially if your travel plans involve crossing checkpoints.

Next Page: Is my Furby safe?

• View blog reactions