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The big deal was that a whole lot of computer code had to be rewritten to accept a 4 digit date. Take your bank account for example, if you have a savings account and you get 3% interest on your money and the computer suddenly thinks it's 1900 not 2000, you're in the red. Or how about systems that are programmed to shut down if not properly maintained who think they're out of maintenance because the year just reset to 1900 instead of flipping to 2000.
Y2K was a very busy time at the lab where I worked because without 4 digit dates, all of the equipment would think it had not been maintained and the computers would think the equipment we used was overdue for calibration. It actually was a big deal in the sense that a lot of work had to be done to make sure that the chronometer clicking from 1999 to 2000 went smoothly which it did because they programmers did their job. Had they not, it's possible that your electric power would have shut off when fail safe's kicked in on systems that are programmed to not operate if they're too far overdue for maintenance.
For the most part in the business world, these claims were overblown. Most critical programs were converted years earlier to database file systems that used more sophisticated native date fields. Those data that remained using other access methods were either expanded to include the century or in cases where expansion wasn't possible, some simple stub, such as [if year > 80, then century = 19, else century = 20] was added. As an aside, it turns out that the year 2000 was a leap year (1900, 2100 etc are not leap years) and that saved some work. All in all, it was a bunch of hot air that made a bunch of contractors a lot of money.
But, it did seem to usher in an era of sensational journalism that we have not seemed to shake since.
I was 13 in the year 2000, so it's definitely been a lot of changes. I went to High School and graduated. Meant to go to college, but I was dumb when I was 18/19 and decided I liked making money at my full time job instead. I only had it to pay for college, but instead I decided to move out of my moms, and then after a few years I moved far from my own town to the current city I live in now. But I've managed to do well for myself even though I don't have a college education. I have a nice condo and a car, and a good job.
I don't really remember too much about the Y2K scare though. I remember it was talked about a lot, but I never gave it much thought. I didn't really care to be honest, so I never focused on it, and I ignored those comments. My biggest memory in 2000 is getting my first kiss.
I graduated high school in 2002 and moved out the dumpy little town I grew up. I went on an Outward Bound course, attended college and have resided in three different states. Pretty crazy.
How has my life changed since 2000? I retired in 2009, moved from an area of nearly 400,000 people to a small mountain town of 900. My life is relaxed without a care in the world.
If my life hadn't changed in 14 years I would be surprised. Mine has had many milestones since 2000
In 2001 I moved from UK to Michigan USA and got married. In the following years my kids finished school and left home, I gained 2 daughters-in-law and then 2 grandchildren.
In 2008 I moved from Michigan to Alaska and got divorced.
In 2011 I remarried.
2013 I gained another 2 grandchildren and moved back to Michigan.
Career-wise, back in the UK I was self employed whilst in the US I have mostly worked for others mostly in my chosen path but I've also learned Medical billing and coding and records and reception. I'm now semi-retired at the age of 51 and life is good.
I was 25 at the time and a First Lieutenant in the US Army.
In 14 years: I got married, had two sons, bought a house, had two dogs, moved four times, got a voluntary vacation to the middle east twice courtesy of Uncle Sam (away from home for 25 months total).
Mind blowing to think what has changed in the world and our everyday lives in those 14 years.
I was working the night shift at Sam's Club at the time stocking pallets, not many shelves there, you know. I remember the mass panic when it came to canned goods, TP, bottled water and paper towels. We would just leave the pallets of bottled water and TP by the check outs and not even bother putting them in the aisles. It was just insane. Generators couldn't be kept in stock, either.
Since 2000, I've graduated college and had a couple of vacations courtesy of Uncle Sam.
In all, it's been a decent ride the past 14 years. Things could be much worse.
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