2000 Problem to Be Addressed

2000 Problem to Be Addressed

RICE NEWS OFFICE
April 30, 1998

This summer, the Rice Millennium Task Force, which was created to focus on a universitywide approach to preparing for the year 2000 problem, will conduct system checks of all staff microcomputers.

The year 2000 problem concerns any computer hardware or software that potentially may have problems interpreting years in a two-digit format when the year 2000 begins. Any items with computerized components that use dates, such as elevators, security systems or computers, could be affected.

The task of verifying that all Rice-owned workstations, including software products, can safely negotiate the year 2000 is an enormous undertaking and will require the cooperation of the primary users of the workstations. Members of each Divisional Computing Team will assist in the verification of the compliance of Rice-owned microcomputers.

In the fall, the verification process will begin on faculty workstations. Team members can also provide resources to faculty, staff and students who wish to check the compliance of their personally-owned microcomputers.

To learn more about how Rice is preparing for the year 2000 computer problem, visit http://riceinfo.rice.edu/Computer/2000/ .