Smart Woman: Get Ready for 2000

<b>Preparation At Home:</b> In most cases, only the manufacturer of a particular product can tell you for sure if a device is Y2K compliant or if the item can be upgraded. Below is a quick checklist that

Thursday, December 30th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Preparation At Home: In most cases, only the manufacturer of a particular product can tell you for sure if a device is Y2K compliant or if the item can be upgraded. Below is a quick checklist that can save you some research time.

Computers: Most personal computers made after 1997 are Y2K compliant, meaning the system has been built to accommodate the changeover from 1999 to 2000.
All Macintosh computers are compliant, but some application software such as spreadsheets, may or may not be. Software made before 1996 is more at risk. Y2K bugs will interfere only with date-specific functions and will not impede other usage.

VCRS: Those made before 1998 might not perform pre-programmed recording correctly. They will be able to carry on non-date-related functions. Most manufacturers offer a list of compliant models.

Camcorder: Some models that display the date might not do so correctly, but their general operation should not be affected.

Telephones: Any telephone with date- specific features may be affected. However, most phones track only the day of the week and not the actual date. Caller ID boxes may not work properly if they were made before 1997. Answering machines time --stamp only the day of the week and not the date, which means no Y2K problems.

Security Systems: Professionally installed security systems and those linked to a remote office are likely to be fine, but check with your service. Smaller systems that are self-installed may or may not work.

Wonâ€™t Be Affected: According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the following common products have no Y2K problems: microwave ovens, coffeemakers, refrigerators, ovens, furnaces, thermostats, televisions and stereos.

For more information, go to the kotv.com home page and click on the Y2K Watch button.