The Y2k Problem Essays - Calendars, Software Bugs, COBOL, Hazards

The Y2k Problem Y2K: Nearing Disaster or Minor Computer Flaw? By Pete Conti Imagine that, as you do annually, you are counting the minutes until the New Year arrives. You are watching Dick Clark announce that the countdown will begin soon, and you feel anxious. Finally, as you hear the offbeat 5-4-3-2-1-0, and let out a sigh of relief, something goes wrong. At precisely 12:00 A.M. on January 1 of the year 2000, computers across the nation crash, leaving the country in panic. Stores are looted, riots break out, 911 is dysfunctional, banks lose money, the stock market crashes, planes drop from the sky, and we are all left in the bitter darkness. Horror stories such as these are common among news broadcasts and the Internet, but many are wondering how the Y2K problem will, if at all, affect their lives. Some professionals say that the Y2K problem may only cause glitches in older, obsolete computers and mainframes, while others are warning the public, and urging proper preparedness for this imminent disaster. Although both sides of this conflict have very arguab le positions, the world is not taking the Y2K problem seriously enough. Before a valid position can be taken, one must first fully understand what the Y2K problem is, and how it might affect computers. Computer coding has always been constructed of zeros and ones, and the finished product is often called the computer language. Over the last thirty years, namely the early eighties, computer coding was much different than it is today. During this time, a string of zeros usually meant the end of a particular program. For these computers, which are very few, when the year 2000 arrives, the Central Processing Unit, or CPU, will determine that the zeros in the year 2000s date as the end of the software, and the computer will crash. This only makes up a very small percentage of the computers that will be affected by the Y2K problem, the others being the more modern computers that still are not compliant with the year 2000s date. These computers, unlike the earlier, primitive ones, would not recognize the year 2000 as the date in which the software stops functio ning, but instead as the year 1900. This is due to the fact that many date systems are set up using only two numbers, so for example, 01 would be read as 1901, because these computers are still set in the 20th century. Some argue that, because the computer would not crash, and simply believe the date was 1900, the Y2K problem is not a major dilemma; the vast majority of computers would still be fully functional, so fixing the problem doesnt require so much urgency. The problem could be fixed after the year 2000, so panic is unnecessary. This is obviously not the case, when you think about all of the computers that run on dates. Almost all of the systems that run schedule-keeping programs will be adversely affected if this problem is not fixed. What about the telephone company? What would happen if you were on the telephone at the date change? What about Travel agencies and package delivery systems? These questions remain unanswered, and will stay that way until the year 2000 arrives . The Y2K problem is very serious, but it is causing many more problems than simply computers. There are radicals supporting every viewpoint. Some people who are worried about the Y2K problem are withdrawing all of their money from banks, and stockpiling their houses with months worth of food, while others simply fail to acknowledge the Y2K problem. Others are actually trying to get rich off perhaps the biggest problem in computers short history. There are numerous fake, overpriced, and overrated Y2K survival kits on sale for ridiculous prices. Imagine what would happen if Y2K did cause major problems, what would the radicals do then? While it is obvious that many are over-preparing for this potential upcoming problem, the ones that are paying no attention to it may be in danger. NBC news stated that withdrawing money from banks is actually a bad idea, as many banks have already converted to Y2K compliant software, but having necessary items such as a radio, batteries, a flashlight,

Sample of an Essay About Myself

Sample of an Essay About MyselfSample of an essay about myself has been an essential part of my education, and my training in becoming a writer. A sample of an essay about myself is an essay that discusses the aspects of your personal life. An example might be a personal memoir, a biography, a course assignment or a student project.Life is a continuous journey from birth to death and beyond. If you write about your life then you can write about the person you are at a particular point in time. While reading a sample of an essay about myself, what happens to the author's ego as well as the reader's ego?It's impossible to explain the peculiar psychological forces which result in personal reflections without knowing much about the author. A sample of an essay about myself is an essay that examines aspects of the individual's life which may have nothing to do with the subject matter of the essay. Even if the subject does not actually matter to the author, he may still include it because of the impact it might have on his future readers. For example, if you wrote a biographical essay about yourself, wouldn't it make sense to relate it to another person who was influenced by you?The essay should always begin by discussing why you have chosen to write the essay. This information can be included even in the first paragraph of the essay, and it is best that it be included in the very first paragraph. In addition, the essay should touch on the writer's overall feeling at this moment. This can be a difficult statement to compose, but you should feel as though the essay is ready when you say 'I have decided to write an essay about myself.'We all know that life is an unfolding story, and each of us lives our life as we imagine it will be. Although many of us fail to live our life, there are many writers who choose to write about their life with their children, their spouse, or with their significant other. As you have made this decision, you have decided that you would like to write about yourself. When you write about yourself, you are embarking on a journey that will go well beyond the issues of your writing.It is very important to avoid using any words that suggest that the essay is about you at this moment. If the reader starts reading the article, they will be aware that it is not about them. Therefore, make sure that you use words such as 'This is about me.' You should also ensure that you refrain from using the phrase 'My writing' at any point.Sample of an essay about myself is an essay that explores your life and questions about it. The essay should look as though it is written by someone who is experiencing the same feelings as you. Do not try to turn your thoughts into prose and do not waste time on monologues, but focus on making your essay as truthful as possible.