WEB POINTERS: Is the Internet Y2K Compatible?

Oct. 1, 1999
Because of the Internet's decentralized structure, computer experts predict that Y2K will create no major blockages on the information highway. Because

Because of the Internet's decentralized structure, computer experts predict that Y2K will create no major blockages on the information highway. Because computer networks are, on the whole, independent, there is little chance for a domino effect caused by local problems.

However, John Koskinen, chairman of the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion, says, "No one can guarantee there won't be some glitches and some problems anywhere."

White House officials who recently met to discuss the issue say that they had trouble stirring up enough adequate information from the million or so autonomous computer networks that make up the stew. Right now, no one organization keeps tabs on these networks.

Despite this, most experts agree that Y2K is likely to create only minor problems for the Internet.