Most Year 2000 system failures will be hidden from view. No one will want to air their dirty laundry.

Here it is, August of 1999. Looking ahead, we're about to pass through that huge patch of rough water we've come to call "the Year 2000 crisis." Like most of you, I'm looking forward to coming out on the other side. Smooth sailing, blue skies, returning to normalcy ... doesn't that all sound good right now?!

Assume Year 2000 turns out badly. I am convinced it will, at least for some countries. For those affected places, I can see the following lessons being well received:

1. There is a need for a compiler and development tools in which numeric overflows cannot occur -- at least for core infrastructure facilities.

Certification has been a topic of serious discussion and debate for well over a decade in the software development field. Countries such as Australia and Japan have made significant progress in their efforts to define and implement certification standards and procedures, and a few states in the US have also shown some interest in the concept.

Certification has been a topic of serious discussion and debate for well over a decade in the software development field. Countries such as Australia and Japan have made significant progress in their efforts to define and implement certification standards and procedures, and a few states in the US have also shown some interest in the concept.

Dear Subscriber,

In a few short months, we will make the much-heralded entry into the 21st century. This century transition will be like no other, due to the famed Year 2000 problem.

In a few short months, we will make the much-heralded entry into the 21st century. This century transition will be like no other, due to the famed Year 2000 problem.

Like most of you, I've spent the past couple of years reading about changes that the Internet is causing in businesses.

Like most of you, I've spent the past couple of years reading about changes that the Internet is causing in businesses.

Today's state-of-the-art in computer and software security is dismal.

Today's state-of-the-art in computer and software security is dismal.

"We've tried numerous virtual-team projects over the past several years," lamented a Fortune 100 company IT project manager at a recent conference workshop. "They all failed."

"We've tried numerous virtual-team projects over the past several years," lamented a Fortune 100 company IT project manager at a recent conference workshop. "They all failed."

In a few short months, we will make the much-heralded entry into the 21st century. This century transition will be like no other, due to the famed Year 2000 problem.

In a few short months, we will make the much-heralded entry into the 21st century. This century transition will be like no other, due to the famed Year 2000 problem.

In some areas -- and especially in society and its structure -- basic shifts have already happened. That the new society will be both a nonsocialist and a post-capitalist society is practically certain.

In some areas -- and especially in society and its structure -- basic shifts have already happened. That the new society will be both a nonsocialist and a post-capitalist society is practically certain.

Most Year 2000 system failures will be hidden from view. No one will want to air their dirty laundry.

Most Year 2000 system failures will be hidden from view. No one will want to air their dirty laundry.

Here it is, August of 1999.

Here it is, August of 1999.