🚀 go-pugleaf

>I suppose that anyone who is a naysayer could always change the date
>on their computer to some time in the next century and use it for a few
>weeks.  I'd suggest making a boot disk if you have a really ancient computer
>though.  Microsoft has already publically identified some glitches they will
>provide patches for via their website for some minor glitches in Windows 3.1,

Not only is the Y2K problem coming up, but it's one of the more minor things.
There will be some indication of Y2K on September 9 of next year.  I remember
that for test purposes in our classes, we used to put "9/9/99" as the date.
I can't say for sure, but I would imagine that format got carried over into
at least a few systems.  After all, who knew in 1978 (or earlier) that those
ancient COBOL programs would still be in use at the turn of the century!

The other night on CBS news there was an excellent picture of a "tornado" on
the surface of the sun.  That flare was leaping way out there.
Coincidentally, the solar flare activity is expected to peak starting
sometime in the next year to two years.  Right around the time Y2K is
happening.  Solar flares play havoc with communications, and the upcoming
activity may even be strong enough to disrupt the power grid.

Oh, but it gets better.  We'll also be hitting a predicted
stronger-than-usual Leonid meteor activity.  I've heard that some people fear
that at least a few satellites could be taken out if hit by anything.  It has
happened before.

Put it all together -- computers crashing, possible wide-spread electrical
outage and loss of satellites for communication/defense/weather.  It could be
pretty nasty.

I would recommend at the minumum a 60-90 day supply of food.  Loss of
electricity means loss of refrigeration.  If there's no electricity, there's
no way to pump fuel, so deliveries to stores would be sporadic.  There would
be a panicked rush on stores.  At that point it would be too late to stock
up.  Some people claim there would be a limit of a three-day supply of food,
but I'd think you'd be lucky to get that much.  

Okay, so what if all that doesn't happen and you have your 60-90 day supply
of food?  There are still severe winters, tornadoes, earthquakes and
hurricanes.  You can always use the food normally, rotating out the older
stock for regular usage and keeping your supplies up.