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From: bolles@reed.UUCP (Spencer Bolles)
Newsgroups: net.bugs,net.flame,net.puzzle
Subject: Computer bugs in the year 2000
Message-ID: <820@reed.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 18-Jan-85 23:43:17 EST
Article-I.D.: reed.820
Posted: Fri Jan 18 23:43:17 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 23-Jan-85 05:53:22 EST
Organization: Reed College, Portland, Oregon
Lines: 16
Xref: watmath net.bugs:504 net.flame:7940 net.puzzle:507


      I have a friend that raised an interesting question that I immediately
tried to prove wrong.  He is a programmer and has this notion that when we
reach the year 2000, computers will not accept the new date.  Will the
computers assume that it is 1900, or will it even cause a problem?  I
violently opposed this because it seemed so meaningless.  Computers have
entered into existence during this century, and has software, specifically
accounting software, been prepared for this turnover?  If this really
comes to pass and my friend is correct, what will happen?  Is it anything
to be concerned about?  I haven't given it much thought, but this programmer
has.  I thought he was joking but he has even lost sleep over this.  When
I say 'friend,' I'm NOT referring to myself, if it seemed that way.

     "I've never really written anything like that before"

Spencer L. Bolles