Gov. Bob Miller wants to make sure the state's computers are ready for the problem upon the day of reckoning on Jan. 1, 2000. The Year 2000 computer problem, commonly referred to as Y2K, arises from computers that were not designed to account for the next century. Machines that aren't altered will read 2000 as 1900.
Some people see it as a minor glitch while others predict apocalyptic-like horrors.
Miller's order mandates monthly reports from state agencies whose computers aren't ready and to defer commencing new computer projects until until its systems are compliant. Further, it orders the state Department of Information and Technology to work with county and municipal governments to coordinate Y2K preparation efforts. That's not to say the state hasn't already been at work on the problem. Miller said the state's effort to have its computers ready is about 40 percent complete. The Legislature has already passed a law limiting companies' liability for problems stemming from the Y2K bug.