Do you gardeners have any idea? Exterminators? How about those with a medical background? The answer to this riddle cannot be found in your medical journals nor your gardening books. This bug is a truly diabolical menace and one you must become aware of, like it or not. Give up? Then read on!

This ‘bug’ has been not-so-affectionately nicknamed the “Y-2-K” bug, or the “millennium bug.” Y2K is computerese for the Year 2000 (Get it? Y = Year and K = Kilo or ‘thousand’ in the metric system. Therefore Y2K represents the Year 2000).

Here is a simple explanation of the Y2K problem. Computers have been around for less than 50 years. At first we were only able to perform simple tasks such as addition and subtraction. Computer professionals at the time had only a rudimentary tool to work with, and of critical importance at the time was the limited computer ‘memory.’ In other words, it was very costly, or impossible to store large quantities of information in the computer. In fact, every number and every letter of the alphabet was taxing to the computer systems of that day, both in terms of time to make calculations and in cost for increasing memory. In order to save precious computer storage space, programmers took a simple and effective short cut in storing date information. They abbreviated the year, as we often do, to only 2 digits. So the date 3-22-1959 became 3-22-59, for example. The savings in computer storage space was substantial when you think how often birth dates, registration dates, expiration dates, etc. are needed.

What the programmers did not anticipate was the ‘bug’ or problem this simple fix would make upon reaching the year 2000. Here is how the Y2K bug will reach out and touch you…if it hasn’t already. When the year 2000 rolls around, computers could potentially read “00” as 1900. Credit cards could expire, bank records could be deleted, electric circuits could be temporarily interrupted—and on and on. Speculation on the significance and impact of this problem range dramatically between professionals across the country. Books and lectures are popping up everywhere on the concerns of Y2K. So should we run to the hills and stand on the street corners with signs declaring the end of the world?

Level headed individuals gather key information and make plans according to their personal situations. Here are some important questions to keep in focus as you consider what implications Y2K will have on you, your investments, and your living. The answers change as people and institutions continue in their preparations, so keep these and other questions before you throughout the year.

1. Does anyone believe that all of the affected systems will be fixed by the turn of the century? No. We have found no one in the literature that would even venture to suggest the possibility.
2. Have our financial institutions been preparing for Y2K? Yes, with varying success and speed. Many professionals suggest that you maintain up-to-date paper copies of all financial transactions through February of the year 2000. Make sure that your bank is certified as Y2K compliant.
3. Do we expect our electric power to be affected? Most professionals agree that there will be some difficulty with at least some power systems. There is wide debate on the degree and expanse of the problem. Some suggest sporadic, short-term, outages in a few communities. Others suggest longer term outages in various communities.
4. How can I prepare for Y2K? Get informed. There is a lot of information out there in the form of books, articles, and internet websites. Keep in mind, as with any other problem there are plenty of sharks looking for an easy meal. They will try to sell the uninformed the Brooklyn Bridge, swamp land in Florida, or Millennium Bug Repellent! Be wary of those who are out to make their living by preparing others for impending doom. And… never give your bank account information to anyone over the phone.

Now that you know enough to talk intelligently about Y2K, let’s see if you can find all the ‘bugs’ in this issue of SeniorHealth. Get your printed issue of SeniorHealth Magazine. (If you don't have one, please call 889-5976 and request a copy.) Throughout the issue there are between 10 and 100 ‘bugs.’ These bugs can be actual pictures of insects, typos or misused words. Find them all and send in the form used to register for trips with the number of bugs you found written in on the “Bugs” line. Those who come up with the correct response will be eligible for a raffle to win a free local trip. Have fun and we will see you in the Y2K.