As you have heard by now, the Year 2000 (Y2K) problem was inadvertently created in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Simply put, Y2K is a programming flaw that will cause some time-sensitive computer systems to malfunction at the turn of the century. The problem occurred when successful programmers used computer shortcuts that conserve computer space. One of the shortcuts was the use of the last two digits of the year, e.g. "98" was used instead of 1998. This practice became pervasive and was mistakenly even built into the "AT" class computer chip designed and first used in the 1980s. Thus, computers, computer code (programs), and data contain this shortcut. The result is computers can not reliably determine that "00" is a short-hand abbreviation for "2000" and is really one year greater than "99".
The Town of Fort Myers Beach has been addressing the Y2K problem for several months with both county and state agencies. The Town has coordinated efforts to ensure that we have properly identified and upgraded our respective mission critical information technology resources. Staff members have recently completed the Florida Legislature Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations Local Government Year 2000 Readiness Survey and has been determined to be "year 2000 ready" with our mission critical applications.
The President's Council on Year 2000 conversion introduced a new toll-free Y2K information hot-line which offers consumers information about power, telephone, banking, federal government programs, and household products. Prerecorded information is available seven days a week, 24-hours a day. Information specialists are available 9-5 (EST), Monday - Friday. There is also a "fax-on-demand" system. You may reach them at 1-888-USA-4-Y2K. Questions regarding the State of Florida's readiness should be directed to the State of Florida Year 2000 Project Office at (850) 921-2235 or by accessing their website at: http://y2k.state.fl.us. If you have any questions regarding the Town's survey, please contact us at: [email protected].
Information contained in this communication relates to the Town of Fort Myers Beach's year 2000 efforts. The disclosure of this information is intended to serve as a year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act, Public Law 105-271.
* Information gathered from the Florida League of Cities and the State of Florida 2000 Project Office.
