So solve the problem. Add a couple of numbers to the programming code. It's become a very big deal. For Sprint Corp., that small fix means programmers must pore over 80 million lines of code. The fix will take two years.
Big business thinks the problem is so significant that fixing it has become a big business.
Entire companies have sprouted just to deal with the year 2000 bug. More than 140 public companies, ranging from Acceler8 Technology to Zmax Corp., are touting their solutions. Where there's a problem, there's a lawyer. Law firms have established special teams just to handle potential litigation from the year 2000 problem. Companies that cater to survivalists are hawking canned or dried food and survival gear to those with year 2000 angst.