Y2K: An Autobiography

It's been a long time since our last episode. The reason is simple, Y2K has become History - what better way of closing this project than by highlighting the latest, and best in my opinion, Y2K Documentary 'Time Bomb Y2K' produced and directed by Brian Becker and Marley MacDonald and now airing on HBO. TBY2K took an interesting approach to presenting the Y2K saga - they told the story via archival found footage. No current interviews, no commentary in hindsight, just an honest look at what it was like to live through the decade that was dominated by Y2K. Join us for the last episode of my attempt to tell my tale of Y2K. If you wish to contact me, do so via [email protected] if you wish to watch all the Interviews with Y2K Luminaries? Head over to www.vimeo.com/ondemand/Y2K and subscribe for a month or so, there is more commentary from others involved in Y2K, and the visuals help simplify the story. IF your organization would like to obtain the complete podcast for your archives AND as preparation for future Y2K like challenges, then contact me directly and we can make that happen.  If you worked on Y2K, then I offer you my personal thanks. Y2K was, from the start until the end, a group project.  Cheers Peter de Jager Toronto, Ont December 2023

An Interview with Vincent Balouet - the former Y2K leader in France. If you wanted to know WHY the situation in France was so very different than in the rest of the world? This is the Interview to listen to. Vincent is a French consultant, he specialized in computer science and risk management (ESIEE Master); He  started his career with Y2k, as a computer science expert and wrote most of the French reports and publications between 92 and 99. He was successively called and appointed by computer security associations, CIO associations, French business associations and the French Government. He founded in 2013 maitrisedescrises.com, a French digital consulting online service to large businesses, addressing large systemic economic risks. You can view this and all the other premium content at: www.vimeo.com/ondemand/y2k

Fascinating interview with the Sheriff of London... who was deeply involved with Y2K Efforts in the UK

This is an Interview with Chuck Sevola - one of the leaders within the Prudential Insurance Y2K Project - He was involved in the Offshore Outsourcing to Tata Consultancy Services

Final Episode of the Audio part of this Podcast There are additional episodes available at: www.vimeo.com/ondemand/Y2K Please send your feedback on the series to [email protected]

In this episode we explore the big question - Why? Given that we believed that Italy (and others) did very little Y2K remediation did they experience no Y2K problems in the Year 2000? and? James Lauber will talk about a problem potentially larger than Y2K - and one we can do little to mitigate. A Carrington Event. 

The former editor-in-chief of CIO magazine and Computerworld, Maryfran is highly respected throughout the IT leadership community nationwide for her engaging stage presence, deep understanding of business technology issues and extensive network of Chief Information and Digital Officers.  In addition to her previous editorial leadership roles with IDG publications, Maryfran also served in 2016-2017 as an adjunct researcher for International Data Corp.’s IT Executive Programs. She holds a Master of Arts in Journalism from The Ohio State University's Kiplinger Program and a B.S. in Journalism from the University of Florida. Prior to joining IDG, she spent 10 years as a reporter at daily newspapers in Florida, Washington State and Ohio.

Three articles this episode 1998 Dec 14th - An UNreal Question - report from the UN 1999 Apr 14th - How Bad, How Long, How Likely - a look at Y2K Preparations 1999 Dec 20th - A Best Kept Secret - A look at the HTC - High Tech Consortium And James Lauber explores how computers fail in Strange ways

In this episode I look back at a few important articles that appeared on the year2000.com website - My Testimony to the US House of Representatives, Doomsday Avoided - and my responses to the responses to that somewhat controversial article.  In addition? We're introducing a new feature - Tangential IT Issues with James Lauber - where we start exploring the 2038 problem in some detail

This is the entire keynote I gave at this conference --- it was one I called 'The Two by Four' talk.  An uncompromising, unrelenting talk designed to get the listener to either take action and start fixing the problem, or storm off in a huff determined to prove I was wrong (and then contact me later to say I was correct) Enjoy.