The Y2K Glitch and End of the Century Changes

The Y2K Glitch and End of the Century Changes While many were ready to party like it was 1999, many others predicted catastrophe at the end of the year from a small assumption made long ago when computers were first being programmed. The Y2K (Year 2000) problem came to exist culturally because of a fear that computers would fail when their clocks were meant to update to January 1, 2000. Because computers were programmed to automatically assume the date began with 19 as in 1977 and 1988, people feared that when the date turned from December 31, 1999, to January 1, 2000, computers would be so confused that they would shut down completely. The Age of Technology and Fear Considering how much of our everyday lives were run by computers by the end of 1999, the new year was expected to bring serious computer repercussions. Some doomsayers warned that the Y2K bug was going to end civilization as we know it. Other people worried more specifically about banks,  traffic lights, the power grid, and airports - all of which were run by computers by 1999. Even microwaves and televisions were predicted to be affected by the Y2K bug. As computer programmers madly dashed to update computers with new information, many in the public prepared themselves by storing extra cash and food supplies. Preparations for the Bug By 1997, a few years ahead of widespread panic over the Millennium problem, computer scientists were already working toward the solution. The British Standards Institute (BSI) developed a new computer standard to define conformity requirements for the Year 2000. Known as  DISC PD2000-1, the standard outlined four rules: Rule 1: No value for current date will cause any interruption in operation. Rule 2: Date-based functionality must behave consistently for dates prior to, during and after year 2000. Rule 3: In all interfaces and data storage, the century in any date must be specified either explicitly or by unambiguous algorithms or inferencing rules.   Rule 4: Year 200 must be recognized as a leap year.   Essentially, the standard understood the bug to rely on two key issues: the existing two-digit representation of dates was problematic in date processing and a misunderstanding of calculations for leap years in the Gregorian Calendar had caused the year 2000 to not be programmed as a leap year. The first problem was solved by creating new programming for dates to be entered as four-digit numbers (ex: 2000, 2001, 2002, etc.), where they were previously represented only as two (97, 98, 99, etc.). The second by amending the algorithm for calculating leap years to any year value divided by 100 is not a leap year, with the addition of excluding years which are divisible by 400, thereby making the year 2000 a leap year (as it was).   What Happened  on January 1, 2000? When the prophesied date came and computer clocks around the world updated to January 1, 2000, very little actually happened. With so much preparation and updated programming done before the change of date, the catastrophe was quelled and only a few, relatively minor millennium bug problems occurred - and even fewer were reported.

9 top jobs to pursue if youre bilingual

9 top jobs to pursue if youre bilingual Having another language under your belt can be a huge career asset in today’s crowded market. People on two sides of a language divide will rely on you  to effectively and fluently convey information back and forth. If you’re bilingual (or looking to add another language to your skillset), read on to learn about the best jobs for people with this valuable skill. 1. Translator/InterpreterThis is sort of a no brainer, but it’s a much-needed and thriving career. Whether your skills are best written or verbal, a wide variety of institutions and organizations need people who speak different languages available- think hospitals, conference centers, educational institutions, courts, immigration facilities†¦ the list goes on and on.2. Emergency ServicesWhen people call for an emergency, they need to be heard and understood without delay. If someone calls with limited English skills and you are able to help them in their native tongue, you’ll save the say fo r everyone involved. Consider joining fire or police departments or becoming an EMT.3. Human ResourcesMost companies are looking to improve workplace diversity, so bringing foreign workers onto the payroll is key. An HR department that can communicate with new hires? A no brainer.  Human resources specialists recruit, interview, and place workers.4. Customer ServiceWhy deal with irate calls in only one language? Or better yet: why not help companies grow their customer base by helping to field queries and complaints in not one, but two languages! Multilingual call centers are already a norm, so they’re always on the lookout for multi- or bilingual applicants with cultural sensitivity and stellar people skills.5. Social/Community WorkHelp people in their own communities and in their own languages. Americans come from so many diverse backgrounds that it’s often a huge plus to be able to help someone in their native tongue- whether you’re a social worker or a dis aster relief worker, etc.6. Bank TellerBanks can be intimidating and confusing places on a good day. Now imagine no one speaking your language. Be a hero and help people through transactions in their first language.7. Immigration SpecialistChances are, if you’re working to help people acquire legal status in the United States for the first time, they might not be totally fluent in English right off the bat. Help them through the trying process in their own language.8. Flight AttendantSet yourself apart from the other candidates by boasting that you can communicate with customers on board in more than one language. Having another language in your pocket (or multiple languages!) increases the safety and understanding of everyone on the plane, and can make a flight more comfortable for someone whose English isn’t great.9. TeacherAs this list has shown, knowing another language other than English makes you hirable in a variety of fields. Why not help the next generation of workers be able to communicate fluently in another language? You’ll get to pass on your passion to a group of kids and ensure that they will be armed with a valuable skill that will enhance their personal and professional lives.