Year 2000’s Computer Problem

I read with dismay “Debunking Year 2000’s Computer Disaster” (Nov. 3), suggesting that that problem is overblown and not likely to cause significant dislocation.

I am an attorney specializing in year 2000 work. I head a working group of attorneys dedicated to counseling clients with year 2000 problems. I have testified before Congress and the California Assembly and Senate on the implications of the problem. It is my experience that the problem is real.

It is a mistake to assume that because this instant industry has drawn its fair share of hucksters that the problem is overstated and unreal. For example, you might consider the predictions of Dr. Edward Yardeni, chief worldwide economist of Deutsche Morgan Grenfell, who predicts at least a 30% chance of at least a mild worldwide recession due to the year 2000 problem. Or, you might consider the hard data collected by Karl Felder of Greenwich Mean Time, which reveals that 46% of PCs sold in 1997 have a year 2000 problem. (Your statement that this is not a PC problem is demonstrably incorrect.)

You are probably correct that many businesses will solve their year 2000 challenge in a timely manner; the problem is that everyone needs to solve their year 2000 problem and that a relatively minor failure rate has the potential to cause major social, economic and legal dislocation.

VITO C. PERAINO

Los Angeles

I understand the great “tragedy” that is to overcome us all in the year 2000, but in all reality, is this such a dangerous situation? The computer industry is beginning to rule the world, and in this monopoly, somehow or another, they always end up ahead of us, the “normal people.” Yet, do they really think that we’re so lame as consumers to be thrown into shock by this petty event? It appears so, for they are making more fuss and causing more hype than needed.

As a frequent computer user, with more than average computer skills, it’s easy for me to assume that someone, somewhere, is going to find or make some simple software solution to this problem.

JIM GANTES

Laguna Niguel