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 Marketplace,
one of the most popular news programs on public radio, has done several
stories on the Y2K problem over the last three years.
To listen to the radio segments, you will need a RealAudio player --
a free download from RealNetworks.
October 20th, 1999
 Y2K...Why
Worry?
Public television commentator Robert X. Cringely isn't worried about
Y2K computer problems. In fact, he sees it as more of a nuisance.
March 22nd, 1996
Amanda
Zeros In
The year 2000 is just four years away....and commentator Amanda Greenleaf
Whelan can't wait to start writing all those zeros on her checks and other
dated correspondence.
December 27th, 1996
It's
The End Of The World
With the millennium fast approaching, businesses are scrambling to
adjust to a big glitch, expected to scramble data in computers as the
year turns from 1999 to the year 2000. Marketplace host David Brancaccio
interviews Harris Miller, president of Information Technology Association
of America about the costs to businesses.
December 30th, 1996
Millennia
Troubles
In Marketplace's continuing look at the computer meltdown that many
experts say will occur at the start of the year 2000, host David Brancaccio
interviews the man many say is responsible for first flagging the problem.
Peter De Jager is head of De Jager and Company, a computer consulting
company in Canada. He also maintains a web site, www.Year2000.com.
April 16th, 1997
The
Millennium Meltdown
American companies may be preparing for the computer meltdown in the
year 2000, but apparently the business world isn't so prepared in either
Britain or Japan. Stephen Beard reports from London, Jocelyn Ford from
Tokyo.
January 8th, 1998
Uncle
Sam And The Year 2000
Businesses have been scurrying to correct anticipated problems when
their computers hit double zeroes in the Year 2000. After all, it's their
loss if things go wrong. But what about the government's computers? Some
say the feds won't be ready in time - and that's everybody's problem.
Marketplace reporter John Dimsdale has the story.
June 30th, 1998
Year
2000
The Y2K computer problem could disrupt every aspect of our lives when
our digital calendars roll over into the next millenium. Marketplace commentator
Russ Thibeault offers a few suggestions for softening the blow.
August 20th, 1998
Year
2000 Problems
Does the computer problem that's expected to rear its head on January,
1, 2000 make you fearful? Marketplace commentator Robert Reich doesn't
look forward to it and in this edition of the Public's Business, he says
there is also another date he'd rather avoid.
October 14th, 1998
Say
OK To Y2K
Fear a digital meltdown in January, 2000? Marketplace commentator
Linda Tatelbaum says she would actually welcome one.
December 10th, 1998
Y2K
Business
Do warnings of a societal meltdown from the Year 2000 computer bug
give you the creeps? Marketplace reporter James Jones has found the store
just for you...a small Amish business in Ohio that sells good old-fashioned,
non-electric products.
January 5th, 1999
Millennium
Survivors
Marketplace's Helen Palmer explores an unusual Y2k phenomenon: people
who are expected to hang onto life to see what's in store for the next
millennium.
February 9th, 1999
Y2K
Liability
Businesses are spending billions of dollars correcting the Y2K computer
bug. And as Marketplace's John Dimsdale reports, many fear they'll need
to spend even more to fight-off an anticipated wave of Y2K-related litigation.
Transcripts of newscasts
Newscast – September 10th, 1999
It's Friday, September 10. I'm David Brancaccio.
So
far, only a third of the major airlines around the world have ensured
that their computer systems will keep working when clocks tick over into
the year 2000. Also, many countries have not been forthcoming about their
so-called Y2K readiness and now the U.S. Department of Transportation
is threatening to halt flights to and from places that can't promise that
their radar systems, runway lights or other basic aviation safety measures
will function on January 1st. Marketplace's Cynthia Ingle reports.
Ingle: "Your New Years travel plans to some countries in Asia and the
Pacific rim, South America and the former Soviet Union may be grounded.
Nearly 40 nations haven't responded to requests from the International
Civil Aviation Organization for information on Y2k readiness.
So, U.S. Transportation Department officials say they'll decide by October
15 whether to stop flights to those destinations. Aviation expert Daryll
Jenkins is a professor at The George Washington University."
Jenkins: "We're not sure that in all of these countries that the power
grid will work. And if the power grid is out you don't have communications
and so you can't be assured of a safe landing. The second thing is the
state of the air traffic control equipment."
Ingle: "The State Department plans to release a nation-by-nation report
next week on the risks of computer system failure as the date changes
to the year 2000. In Washington, I'm Cynthia Ingle for Marketplace."
Newscast
- September 17th, 1999
It's Friday, September 17. I'm David Brancaccio.
It doesn't sound like the powerful chairman of the Federal Reserve is
going to spend New Years hunkered down with freeze-dried stroganoff and
a wind-up radio. Alan Greenspan today told the President's Council on
Year-2000 Conversion...
Greenspan: "The probability of a cascading of computer failures in mission-critical
systems is now negligible."
The Fed Chairman praised the adaptability and ingenuity of the American
worker for getting systems in order and said he's increasingly confident
the financial world is prepared for the date change – that is, making
sure computers don't foul up by confusing the year 2000 with the year
1900. Banking and ATM systems are as prepared as they can be the Fed Chairman
said. But he warned that the systems have never been perfect and it would
be unrealistic to expect perfection now. What Alan Greenspan is keeping
a close eye on is possible supply bottlenecks that could occur if many
companies decided to stockpile extra inventory ahead of the New Years.
As for your money and Y2K:
Greenspan: "The safest thing for consumers to do with their money around
year-end is to leave it where it is. Consumers should prepare for the
century date change as they would for any long weekend or any expected
hurricane."
Those who take out too much cash run the risk of theft or fraud, Greenspan
said.
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