Here's Apple'e Y2K readiness disclosure with links and tests: http://www.apple.com/about/year2000/y2ksw.html

LINK

-- Walt (longyear@shentel.net), December 11, 1999

Answers

As with ALL computers this statement is accurate as far as it goes... the bottom line is that Macintosh machines are Y2Kok... as long as you don't put any software on them.

ClarisWorks is ok, as long as you don't mis use it's native date handling functions...

Y2Kok applications were written decades ago on Y2Kchallenged hardware & software. Y2Kbogus applications are being written today simply because folks don't think through the implications of what they do with data as it shuffles between applications.

-- David Eddy (deddy@davideddy.com), December 11, 1999.

Macintosh machines are Y2Kok... as long as you don't put any software on them.

Mac operating systems have been Y2k compliant since 1984. Unlike a certain other OS I am thinking of.

The latest version if Clarisworks is now Appleworks 5.0, and is compliant.

I like my chances for desktop computing using a Mac. I run nothing on my machine that starts with "Microsoft." (Although Gates now is part-owner of Apple.)

-- semper paratus (always@ready.now), December 11, 1999.

Here's an article that might be helpful to those of you who own PCs: 1) Y2K! Your Computer's Last Chance by Kate Schultz Have you been ignoring the Y2K issue? If so, it's time to pull your head out of the sand and get ready. What Is the Y2K Bug? Back in the olden days, when computer systems took up a whole room, programmers used a two-digit system for dates in order to save memory and disk space. As a result, most computer systems and programs back then were designed to use only a two-digit year. When the year 2000 begins, the "00" might be interpreted as 1900 instead of 2000. So, what's the big deal? Can't I just let my computer "think" it's 1900? Not necessarily. Do you do any online banking? What about accounts receivable? If your computer reverts to 1900, your checking account balance would revert to $0 since -- in all likelihood -- you didn't even exist in 1900, let alone have a bank account! The same is true of your accounts receivable. Joe's Drugstore may owe you $3,105 January 1, 2000, but he didn't owe you a dime in 1900! That's why it's *mandatory* that you recognize and resolve this problem now, before it's too late. What Do You Need to Check? There are essentially three components that need to be assessed for Y2K compliance. 1. Hardware - BIOS 2. Software - Operating System and Applications 3. Data Files - Spreadsheets and Databases ==> HARDWARE Start by ensuring that your BIOS handles dates correctly. BIOS stands for basic input/output system. If the BIOS doesn't handle dates correctly, none of your applications will either. When you boot up your computer, the basic start-up information is held in the Read Only Memory or ROM in your computer. The BIOS gets the date and time from the internal real-time clock. This date is then passed on to your operating system and software applications. So, if the BIOS is broken, so is everything else. If the computer is off, how does it know what time it is when I turn it back on? Your computer has an independent timekeeping circuit within it to track the time and calendar date. This internal real time clock (RTC) runs on a battery. Voila! The battery in your RTC maintains the correct time when your computer is shut down or turned off. The time and date kept by the RTC is used by your Operating System (such as Microsoft Windows 95 or 98) and by software applications (such as your word processing program) to time stamp files or documents. The application software makes a system call to the BIOS to get the time and date. This is why you must make sure the BIOS is handling dates correctly before you move on to your Operating System or Software Applications. How do you know whether your BIOS is Y2K compliant? If you're just starting to look at the problem now, your best bet is to call your vendor. Give them your computer model number and ask what you need to do. They're expecting your call! ==> SOFTWARE Operating System Once your BIOS is compliant you must move on to your Operating System. If you are using Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows NT, you need to visit the Microsoft website and get some patches. Older Operating Systems such as Windows 3.1 will require more of your time and attention. The Microsoft Y2K site has a list of all Operating Systems and what you need to do to become Y2K compliant. Go there now! Don't assume anything even if you have a new PC. http://www.microsoft.com/year2000/

LINK

Software Applications Again, contact your software vendors to verify Y2K compliance. Be especially vigilant about checking any software you use for tracking business finances. ==> DATA FILES Your documents, spreadsheets and financial records can also be affected by year 2000 issues. Do your important files contain two digit years? The files most vulnerable will be those created in spreadsheet or database programs. After you check with your software vendors, be sure to check your data files for further compliance to Y2K readiness. Be especially vigilant about programs that you use to make financial calculations such as invoices, budgets, payroll worksheets, etc. In addition to checking your computer, take these minimum precautions. -> Make a complete back up of your computer. Store the disks, CDs or tapes in a safe place for later access. -> Print a copy of all important business records such as invoices, financial statements or anything else you could possibly need. -> Get a hard copy of your most recent bank statement. If you bank online, print a statement and be sure to include all account numbers and closing balances. If you do experience any kind of Y2K related problems with your computer, remember to keep it in perspective. But it is rather unrealistic to think there won't be at least a few glitches! ----------------------------------------------------------------- Kate Schultz is the founder of EzineUniversity (EZU). --> READ MY SECRET E-Zine Promotion Diary. <-- You're invited to follow our progress each week as I reveal what works and what bombs in the world of E-zine promotion. To subscribe send a blank e-mail to mailto:ezu-subscribe@topica.com or drop by http://www.ezineuniversity.com for the low-down!

-- walt (longyear@shentel.net), December 11, 1999.