Diocese zapping Y2K bug

Doomsayers have predicted dire consequences when the year 2000 hits computers that control everything from power systems to parish accounting.

But according to Information Resources Office director Michael Schwab, parishes that take care of potential problems now will have little to worry about later.

Fixing it

Through vendors, the staff checked on which computer systems and programs were Y2K-compatible. They wrote to parishes offering help for those that weren't.

So far, about half of the Diocese's 185 parishes have replied, and the results were a pleasant surprise.

"Our initial projections were grim," Mr. Schwab explained. "Now, it's very promising. From the information we're getting back, the majority of parish computers are compliant, or non-compliant with minor issues."

The good news for the Albany Diocese is that, unlike many large businesses like hospitals or banks that rewrite computer programs to suit their needs, the software used by parishes and diocesan offices is off-the-shelf. That makes it easy to identify what's Y2K-incompatible.

Other problems

Parishes were advised to contact the vendors for these products to check on their Y2K compatibility. However, Mr. Olsen added, "If a particular system is not in compliance, that does not mean the product or system won't operate." Some systems may be operated manually.

In addition to helping parishes, Information Resources and Real Property staff are working to correct problems in the diocesan Pastoral Center. The biggest problem to date has been that the Microsoft Access software used by some diocesan offices is not Y2K-compliant, and an updated version that is compliant requires using Windows 95, which many diocesan computers are not equipped to run.

Solutions

Mr. Olsen noted that the diocesan voice mail system and the heating control units in the Pastoral Center's south building will also have to be replaced.

As for parishes that have yet to reply to Information Resources' survey, Mr. Schwab said, "We're anticipating having a significant rush of panic between November and February," when parish workers turn on their computers and find they no longer function.

The office plans to reschedule other projects and possibly hire temporary staff to have time to deal with the onslaught.

Do it now

On a larger scale, both Real Property and Information Resources staff feel that the Y2K bug will not bite as hard as some individuals have predicted.

"I don't think it's going to be a big problem," Mr. Olsen stated.

Mr. Schwab compared Y2K problems to a large snowstorm that slowly crosses the country, leaving temporary inconveniences in its wake but not a permanent crisis.

One example of a Y2K problem, he noted, might be a small telephone system that connects two banks failing. While the banks would be open, a direct-deposited paycheck might not go through.

While he plans to buy a generator because of possible power outages, Mr. Schwab added that "I don't think it's necessary to start stocking your bomb shelter. By no means do I feel it's going to be a breakdown of the social fabric of the U.S. [Those who are panicking] are a very small number of people talking very loudly."

(To contact the diocesan Office of Information Resources, call 453-6685. To contact the Real Property Office, call 453-6623. The former offers the following web sites as resources on 2000 and its possible effects on you and your computer: www.cassandraproject.org and www.year2000.com offer general information; www.zdnet.com/zdy2k offers a "year 2000 survival guide;" and www.rightime.com and www.firmware.com offer test disks for your computer system.)

(02-11-99) [[In-content Ad]]