December 6, 1999
Web posted at: 3:57 PM EST (2057 GMT)

(CNN) -- Y2K talk is everywhere.

The Year 2000 bug has spawned several books, countless articles in magazines and newspapers, even a TV movie.

It's enriched computer programmers and advisers. The Commerce Department estimates that government and businesses will have spent more than $100 billion by 2001 in the United States alone.

So what exactly is Y2K, and what should you do about it?

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Here's a basic guide:

Q. What is Y2K all about?

A. Y2K stands for Year 2000 and commonly refers to computer problems that might arise from a programming practice of using only two digits to represent a year. Programmers adopted the technique decades ago to save memory, which was expensive at the time. At the end of this year, "99" will roll over to "00," much like a car odometer that has reached its limit. If left uncorrected, computers might misread "00" for 1900 in the new year, disrupting systems that run power grids, control traffic lights and perform other key tasks.

Q. What is being done about it?

A. Over several years, programmers have examined trillions of lines of computer code, looking for date references and fixing the coding when necessary. Despite all the time and money, Y2K experts do not expect to finish the job. So, for less-critical systems, governments and businesses have come up with alternative ways to do the same tasks. Also, they are planning for the unexpected, in case some date references were overlooked. With such contingencies in place, widespread disruptions are unlikely, although sporadic outages are possible.

Q. I don't even use a computer, so I have nothing to worry about, right?

A. No. Older video cassette recorders might not record your favorite shows. Home burglar alarms might cease to function. Some coffee makers and microwave ovens have chips in them, although those appliances tend to care less what year it is. At any rate, check with manufacturers for guidance. Even if all of your appliances are OK, you could be susceptible to problems beyond your control. For instance, an errant computer elsewhere might send you a bill for all charges in the 20th century, thinking your last payment was in 1900. Utilities, banks, credit cards, phones and airplanes all depend heavily on computers.

Q. So should I cancel all my travel and withdraw all my money from the bank?

A. That might have been good advice had private industries not addressed the issue. But government officials are confident that the major systems have been fixed to correctly read the year. In fact, extreme behavior such as stuffing cash under a mattress might cause shortages unrelated to Y2K and make you more vulnerable to crime. That is not to say nothing will go wrong, either. Minor glitches are likely at the local level and with smaller businesses, and Y2K experts advise planning for temporary disruptions the way you would for an approaching winter storm or hurricane. And if traveling abroad, check the State Department's Web site. Some foreign countries are less prepared than the United States.

Q. What can I do to help?

A. Plan for potential problems -- and plan early. That means making sure you have fresh batteries for flashlights and radio, as well as stocks of nonperishable food and water. This way, should there be actual disruptions, you won't tax the emergency response system with your needs. And by planning early, you help prevent lines and shortages that procrastinators might cause. There is no need to overreact, either. Hoarding drugs, food and other supplies could also cause artificial shortages. One other thing: Try to avoid picking up the phone just after midnight to check for a dial tone. If everyone does that, the phone network could be overwhelmed.

Q. I've heard that government officials will be monitoring Y2K problems all day Dec. 31. Why so early?

A. Midnight strikes the Republic of Kiribati in the South Pacific when it is 5 a.m. Dec. 31 in New York. Midnight then hits Australia, Asia, Europe and eventually the United States. That doesn't mean you need to only pay attention to your local time. Many systems, including air traffic control, use a standard of Greenwich time, which is five hours ahead of Eastern time. After all, planes fly across time zones so quickly, it would be impractical -- and even dangerous -- for pilots to have to change their clocks while airborne.

Q. What if the power goes out or the ATM won't give me cash?

A. Don't assume it's a Y2K failure, and don't assume it's a problem everywhere. Power goes out all the time, and the electric companies have backup systems in place and can borrow power from neighboring utilities. If an ATM doesn't work, go to another a few blocks away.

Q. So if I wake up on Jan. 1, and nothing went wrong, then should I assume that Y2K was much ado about nothing?

A. Not really. Although computer failures are most likely to appear at midnight Dec. 31, Y2K troubles aren't restricted to that second or even that weekend. In fact, a few problems have already surfaced. Some federal agencies had minor trouble on Oct. 1, the start of fiscal 2000. And in Maine, motor-vehicle officials mistakenly classified model 2000 cars as pre-1916 "horseless carriages." Pay attention to Monday, Jan. 3, the first business day of the new year. Some problems could also crop up as businesses go through the first billing cycle for 2000. Feb. 29 is another key date: Some computers might not recognize 2000 as a leap year because years that end in "00" usually aren't.

Q. Where can I get more information?

A. President Clinton's advisory group has an Internet site at www.y2k.gov and a toll-free number: 1-888-USA-4-Y2K. The American Red Cross has information at www.redcross.org/disaster/safety/y2k.html. Both groups offer brochures, as do many other private organizations and government agencies. For more specific regional and local information, check with your local officials, utilities and hospitals.

Q. Any other words of wisdom?

A. Have a happy new year, and continue with your millennium plans. Whatever happens, there is no need to panic. Y2K planners expect they can handle any disruptions as long as the public stays calm. They have contingency plans in place, and so will you, right?