Kim Barraclough
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 02/98) - If you think Y2K is the first half of someone's postal code, you may find yourself in trouble up to your megabytes come the year 2000.

The Y2K -- Y for year and K for thousand -- bug is a serious technical problem the whole world is facing.

The problem began way back when the first computers and programs were developed.

In order to save memory space, two-digit date systems were used as opposed to four-digit date systems.

Many of this date-sensitive hardware and software is still around today. When the calender rolls over in 2000, computers with two-digit date systems may not be able to process the four-digit date.

Computers may think the double zero means 1900 then process it incorrectly.

Company billing systems may be thrown off and there could be problems with electricity and transportation.

Anything computer operated, even in a small way, may be affected.

It all depends on how prepared people are.

"It's a unique situation," said Mark Needham, director of the year 2000 project for NorthwesTel in Yellowknife.

Needham said what makes the problem so unique is that it has never happened before, so there is no way to predict exactly what will occur.

It is also unique because it may affect all businesses and it is going to happen at the same time for everyone.

"You can't change when it's going to happen," Needham said.

"We're making darn sure we do a lot of work in that area," he said.

In order to safeguard homes or businesses, Needham said it will be important to make sure systems are compliant.

For example, try simply changing the date on your telephone or fax to 2000. What happens? Make sure your equipment has a backup system in case it does not work.

It is important to be prepared for the bug because the implications may not be detected right away. Jan. 1, 2000, falls on a Saturday. Most people aren't going to be in their offices on the weekend and chances are people will be on holiday Monday.

Gary Kamitomo, service manager and part-owner of Microage Yellowknife, said the possible problems are extensive and unpredictable.

Kamitomo said it is vital to have all software and hardware packages checked for compliancy. Packages that can check compliancy may be bought at most computer stores. A compliancy testing service may be offered by Microage starting in the next few months.

NorthwesTel plans to look at its staffing requirement over the millennium change to ensure it has personnel available to deal with problems.

The Northwest Territories Power Corp. generates power for Yellowknife, which Northland Utilities Ltd. distributes.

The corporation plans to be fully staffed from Dec. 13, 1999 to Jan. 15, 2000.

"We're confident the lights will stay on and we're taking considerable precautions to make sure our support systems stay up and running with the same efficiency we have today," said corporation president Leon Couroneya in a press release.