The general press would have us believe that the Y2K problem was blown out of proportion and that everything went well. Yes, OS/2 and Java still work well in the new year, but, alas, so did Windows. But the real problems emanating from Y2K are just starting to surface, for example:

• The Pentagon reports that some of our spy satellites were out of commission for three days (not a couple of hours as originally reported).

• A major hospital chain here in Florida has some critical problems with their payroll system, thereby deferring payments to employees.

• An old and reliable DOS based General Ledger package we had used for years internally at MBA finally went kaput when we tried to enter Y2K dates (I won't mention the name of the manufacturer, but it was a widely used product from a well known vendor).

When you consider the immensity of the systems that have evolved in the Fortune 1000 companies over the past 40 years, something is bound to go wrong, problems that won't be eagerly reported to the press. Companies like to share their success stories with the press, not their failures. Are there still problems with the transition to Y2K? You betcha! Things may look fine on the surface for p.r. purposes, but if you dig deeper you are going to find some serious problems in the corporate world. And I still believe we're going to experience a correction in the first quarter of 2000.

For OS/2 users, here are a couple of web sites worth following regarding Y2K issues:

• VOICE - OS/2 Y2K Application Issues

• IBM OS/2 Y2K Readiness

It was recently reported that long-time OS/2 advocate John A. Soyring is back in charge of OS/2 with the title "VP, eBusiness Operating Systems Solutions, OS/2 Business and Development." Let's hope John has the same enthusiasm for the product as he did years ago. The product is sorely in need of a Spring tonic.

The Phoenix OS/2 Society, Inc. (POSSI) pleasantly surprised everyone by announcing a three-day conference for OS/2 developers, WarpTech to be held May 26-28, 2000 at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park, Arizona, USA (near Phoenix). For more informaiton, contact steward@bitranch.com.

Keep the Faith!