RE: 9/9/99

Bob,

This problem could easily occur on any computer in any Hollywood film, just
as any mainframe can be permanently destroyed by simply uploading a PC virus
to it. Of course uploading a virus (even from a Thinkpad) will only put a
computer from an advanced alien civilisation out of action for a couple of
minutes. Happily this will turn out to be just long enough.

Less frivolously I'd imagine that this started out as the 9/9/99 = EndOfFile
story but got mutated somewhere between the reporter's ear drum and the
printing press.

Dave Kahn
Johnson & Johnson International (Ethicon) France
Phone : +33 1 55 00 3180
Email :  dkahn1@jnjfr.jnj.com (work)
           dkahn@cix.co.uk      (home)

> -----Message d'origine-----
> De:   Bob Clarke           3rd x4502 [mailto:clarke@teri.org]
> Date: 03 September 1999 15:21
> À:    midrange-l@midrange.com
> Objet:        RE: 9/9/99
> 
> What I read in the paper last night really took the cake.  It seems,
> according to 'the experts', that the real cause for concern is that some
> computers will interpert 9999 as a stop instruction.  Now, first off I'd
> like to know how a stored date gets translated into an instruction.
> Second, just how old would code have to be for this to even be
> applicable?!  Oh and lastly .. just how much are these 'experts' (aka
> alarmists) paid?!
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Bob Clarke
> 
> 
+---
| This is the Midrange System Mailing List!
| To submit a new message, send your mail to MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com.
| To subscribe to this list send email to MIDRANGE-L-SUB@midrange.com.
| To unsubscribe from this list send email to MIDRANGE-L-UNSUB@midrange.com.
| Questions should be directed to the list owner/operator: david@midrange.com
+---