Dire predictions of widespread technology failure unlikely to come to pass.
Most computers record years in just two digits failing to see any difference between the years 2000 and 1900.
To avoid a complete breakdown in banking and business systems, companies are spending hundreds of millions decoding programmes to make sure that the dates register the correct century.
The millennium bug scares arise from the fact that most computer programmes record each year as just two digits.
Peter de Jager is the man credited with bringing the issue to the public consciousness in a 1993 article in Computerworld magazine. In Ireland to address business people on the forseeable problems he says that the hype surrounding the complete breakdown of domestic appliances is nonsense.
It's all very very silly. Your microwave will not die, your dishwasher will not die, your fridge will not die.
While a video recorder may not be able to programme into the future, Peter de Jager points out that it will still record when controlled manually. For people with computerised heating, air control or security systems, he recommends that people check with the vendors about the future functionality.
Shoppers are being advised to request written guarantees when buying new appliances to state the product is 2000 compatible.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 23 February 1999. The reporter is Teresa Mannion.
