Y2K

1
Y2K
How can you be prepared for it?
Brought to you by
Mr. Parker's Current Events Class
2
Table of Contents
1. Title Page 2. Table of Contents 3. What is
Y2K 4. How can we begin to get ready 5. Should
we wait till prices are lower to buy preparedness
materials 6. What is the first thing people
should think about in an emergency 7. What about
generators 8. What about food 9. Bibliography
3
What is Y2K?
The Year 2000 (y2k) problem stems from the use
of a two digit field to represent the year (e.g.
851985) in computer software. Software so
created may be unable to properly address dates
after 1999 (001900 not 2000). This may result in
total computer shutdown, erasing of information,
and so forth.
4
How can we begin to get ready?
The primary source of heat that we recommend are
the kerosene heaters. Also available in quantity
are propane heaters, and there are wood stoves.
Wood stoves, due to the local abundance of forest
products, are in most likelihood the popular
choice.
5
Should we wait till prices are lower
to buy preparedness materials?
Start looking into preparedness materials NOW --
while they are still available. The sooner we
start asking for things, the faster the
manufacturing companies can ramp up and supply
them. Theres no need to panic. However, we
have only about eight months left to get ready.
Because we saw some Year 2000 problems in
January, 1999, smart retailers are getting
prepared. "The people that have been calling for
the Year 2000 have been talking about bulk
quantities -- stuff for at least a few weeks,"
says Cheri Moser, the manager of Blue Ridge
Mountain Sports. "We've been looking to stockpile
larger quantities, enough for a month, maybe
two."
6
EMERGENCY People need to change the way they
think. Imagine the worst-case scenario.
Business will not continue as usual. People will
have interruptions in water, power, and food.
This will be not only a national emergency, but
an international emergency. No one organization
that can handle that. STOP waiting for somebody
to solve all the problems. We must all prepare
for the worst, and hope for the best.
7
We all need to help each other!

• Store enough drinkable water to last for 90 days.
  360 gallons should be enough. Large plastic
  barrels used for food supplies are obtainable
  through retail stores and catalogues.
• Dont forget water filters.
• Many people with access to private wells are
  purchasing hand pumps.

8
What about generators
Do you need electricity? How much food is in
your freezer? Save your generators for emergency
uses like running medical devices. Of course it
takes a fuel source to operate a generator.
Beware of the dangers of stockpiling containers
of gasoline. Do you plan on heating your home
and cooking food? "Natural gas is probably a
little more reliable, given a worst-case
scenario, than an electric stove," says O'Riley.
"However, because natural gas delivery systems
may also be affected, people might want to make
sure they can use a natural gas stove and adapt
it for use with propane." Solar panels provide
an excellent alternative to using nonrenewable
resources. However, the initial investment is
costly.
9
What about food?
People need a lot of food with a long shelf life.
Canned foods, and freeze-dried foods meet that
requirement. Many different brands of dehydrated
foods are on the market. "It's actually cheaper
to buy a dehydrator and do your own food," says
Moser. "That's definitely an option for people
looking for large quantities." Food for thought
- pay off your important bills, such as mortgage
payments, several months in advance. It is
highly recommended that you obtain hard copies of
financial records.
10
Bibliography
http//www.y2ksurvive.com/
http//www.y2k.com