What do you think?
Rate this book
Complete Y2K Home Preparation Guide, The
Describes possible problems that could be caused by the year 2000 computer date conversion, and lists precautions in the areas of food and water, shelter, heat, communications, transportation, and finances
432 pages, Paperback
First published March 23, 1999
4 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 5, 2020
Now that it is 2020 there are a lot of Goodreads friends out there who were probably not even born yet when Y2K was the talk of the town, at least in some circles. Backed up by hindsight, most today will laugh it all off and make jokes about the crazies of the tinfoil hat group. Well, "Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me."
I wasn't the only crazy one. My major pharmaceutical company was quietly going around checking every single thing you plugged into an outlet to see if it could be effected. A relative worked for a generator company and the rich and government weren't taking chances. Another relative at a bank said they were not turning in any damaged bills to burn but taping them up and recirculating them. My boss's husband was a big man on campus at Leucent and he was told to bring a sleeping bag to work because he wasn't going home until any problems were fixed. And it was kind of funny how after Y2K had come and gone that all kinds of camping and survival gear were on the 'for sale' bulletin boards at work.
Other events will trigger mild mass hysteria. You could not get an army surplus gas mask, or any other, minutes after the second plane hit on 9/11. I checked. If I were sitting next to you today and said I just got off the plane from China and started coughing, you would grab your kid and run! A successful EMP strike against the country and we all could go Amish. If the EPA makes another toxic spill down the street you will be told you have minutes to evacuate. The Boy Scouts say you should always be prepared. What would you do?
This book has a wealth of information that one could use to make a customized checklist for you and yours. They list things you probably would not even think of. In my opinion this is the Bible of how to prepare for disasters. The only thing not covered is weapons for self defense, which is a shame because in a disaster the looters come out and there are no cops or first responders of any kind until the army or National Guard show up. In spite of what I have just said, some of you might be more embarrassed to take this one to the checkout counter than buy your mom's hygiene products, but hey, it's your life. Just don't come running to my door yelling, "What do I do?" if the shit hits the fan.
Seriously folks, this book could help you be self sufficient enough to even get through a period of job loss. What I have tried to do is tell you why you should check this out.You should at least see if your library has a copy.
I wasn't the only crazy one. My major pharmaceutical company was quietly going around checking every single thing you plugged into an outlet to see if it could be effected. A relative worked for a generator company and the rich and government weren't taking chances. Another relative at a bank said they were not turning in any damaged bills to burn but taping them up and recirculating them. My boss's husband was a big man on campus at Leucent and he was told to bring a sleeping bag to work because he wasn't going home until any problems were fixed. And it was kind of funny how after Y2K had come and gone that all kinds of camping and survival gear were on the 'for sale' bulletin boards at work.
Other events will trigger mild mass hysteria. You could not get an army surplus gas mask, or any other, minutes after the second plane hit on 9/11. I checked. If I were sitting next to you today and said I just got off the plane from China and started coughing, you would grab your kid and run! A successful EMP strike against the country and we all could go Amish. If the EPA makes another toxic spill down the street you will be told you have minutes to evacuate. The Boy Scouts say you should always be prepared. What would you do?
This book has a wealth of information that one could use to make a customized checklist for you and yours. They list things you probably would not even think of. In my opinion this is the Bible of how to prepare for disasters. The only thing not covered is weapons for self defense, which is a shame because in a disaster the looters come out and there are no cops or first responders of any kind until the army or National Guard show up. In spite of what I have just said, some of you might be more embarrassed to take this one to the checkout counter than buy your mom's hygiene products, but hey, it's your life. Just don't come running to my door yelling, "What do I do?" if the shit hits the fan.
Seriously folks, this book could help you be self sufficient enough to even get through a period of job loss. What I have tried to do is tell you why you should check this out.You should at least see if your library has a copy.
September 17, 2023
DETAILED SUGGESTIONS FOR A Y2K ‘DISASTER’
Authors Edward Yourdon and Robert Roskind wrote in the Introduction to this 1999 book, “No one knows what will really happen in the first few hours, days, weeks, and months of 2000. This includes the authors of this book, government and business leaders, computer experts, ‘Y2K wishful thinkers,’ ‘Y2K doom and gloomers,’ the press, and your brother-in-law. None of us really knows what will happen. And it is because of this one central fact that complete preparation is essential. Our world will enter the new millennium with everything it takes for modern life to function at risk. How this risk will turn out is, and will continue to be, the subject of much debate and controversy.” (Pg. xviii)
They continue, “the true state of affairs will become more and more difficult to determine as we approach the event. Fear will increase and the stakes are very high. One day you may read a report that makes you wonder if you need to prepare at all. The next day a report may have you running to your grocery store to stock up. Perhaps the best approach is to follow the time-tested advice of ‘hope for the best but prepare for the worst.’” (Pg. xxix)
They go on, “Once you begin to take Y2K seriously and prepare, your natural inclination is to tell other people you care about … to do the same. This can be a frustrating, humiliating, and trying experience… When talking with others, using articles and quotes from reliable sources is the best way to make your case… And always stress that no one will know how bad things will be until after the event. Also mention the good that could come out of this event. Y2K may allow us to rethink our priorities and it may serve as a wake-up call for other technological problems (nuclear weapons, El Nino, global warming, etc.)… Our observation has been that many people have to be told of the problem many times, and from many sources.” (Pg. xxx)
They advise, “Should there be a temporary lapse in electrical power, alternative sources of lighting must be provided for in advance. Lighting is essential. If your house is plunged into darkness at 5:30 each afternoon, chances are your mood will follow. Acquiring emergency lighting before the event, this is relatively inexpensive and easy. After the event, it becomes very difficult, perhaps impossible (ever try to find a candle or batteries after they have announced a hurricane is heading your way).” (Pg. 106)
They explain, “If water delivery through your normal sources is disrupted and you want to be able to take a hot bath or shower, you will not only have to store much more water but also create an alternative water hearing system and showering as well. There is one inexpensive alternative that requires little water for a reasonable shower. Solar showers are available at most camping goods stores…” (Pg. 151)
They note, “Many people are considering buying a gun for added protection. The reasons for this are obvious: everything from packs of abandoned dogs to criminals feeling less threatened by overloaded police forces. For many of us who do not presently own guns, this decision is complex and I will give no advice here. But whether we own a gun or not, there is one thing we believe to be true. If Y2K causes major problems within our society, the best way to approach these problems is by pulling together with our neighbors and our communities, not through a bunker mentality of armed individual family units… Perhaps we need to shift from ‘Don’t come knocking on my door if you don’t prepare’ to ‘I guess I better stock some extra food to help those idiots who just wouldn’t listen.’’ (Pg. 170)
They state, “Gold is preferred because you need 75 times more weight in silver to create the same value of gold. $10,000 in silver can be a heavy, cumbersome asset. Not so with gold. However, if things were to get too unstable, the U.S. government has the right to call in all gold minted after 1933 for $50 per ounce. This is why the American gold coins say $50 on them though they trade for much more.” (Pg. 208)
They suggest, “fixing any Y2K bugs in your [computer] system before the roll over may be best. You can easily test to see how your computer will rollover. You simply advance the date to December 31, 1999 at 11:58 PM and see if it rolls over to 2000. If it does, your ‘hardware’ is Y2K ready. If it rolls over to 1900… it must be fixed.” (Pg. 212)
They explain, “Many consumer financial services providers, such as banks, mortgage companies, investment firms, and credit card issuers rely on computer systems to perform a variety of date-sensitive functions, including: *Calculating interest and other charge; *Tracking deposit, loan, and lease payments; *Transferring funds electronically; *Producing billing or other periodic statements…” (Pg. 332-333)
Robert Roskind concludes, “Almost every lesson we must learn to continue on this planet with the power of our existing technology is listed above. Failure to learn any one of them continues to put our species at risk. Y2K has the ability to teach us every lesson. This is absolutely necessary if we are to continue on this planet much longer, given the existing level and power of our technology. These lessons will not be learned easily. As with all other human lessons, they will be learned through our pain. But they can be learned. As individuals asking what we can do to usher in this new paradigm, the answer is clear: in addition to whatever actions and work we feel called to do.” (Pg. 235)
Edward Yourdon died in 2016; he wrote a number of fine books (e.g., ‘The Decline and Fall of the American Programmer’), but he lost a great deal of credibility for this book and its predecessor, ‘Time Bomb 2000.’
Authors Edward Yourdon and Robert Roskind wrote in the Introduction to this 1999 book, “No one knows what will really happen in the first few hours, days, weeks, and months of 2000. This includes the authors of this book, government and business leaders, computer experts, ‘Y2K wishful thinkers,’ ‘Y2K doom and gloomers,’ the press, and your brother-in-law. None of us really knows what will happen. And it is because of this one central fact that complete preparation is essential. Our world will enter the new millennium with everything it takes for modern life to function at risk. How this risk will turn out is, and will continue to be, the subject of much debate and controversy.” (Pg. xviii)
They continue, “the true state of affairs will become more and more difficult to determine as we approach the event. Fear will increase and the stakes are very high. One day you may read a report that makes you wonder if you need to prepare at all. The next day a report may have you running to your grocery store to stock up. Perhaps the best approach is to follow the time-tested advice of ‘hope for the best but prepare for the worst.’” (Pg. xxix)
They go on, “Once you begin to take Y2K seriously and prepare, your natural inclination is to tell other people you care about … to do the same. This can be a frustrating, humiliating, and trying experience… When talking with others, using articles and quotes from reliable sources is the best way to make your case… And always stress that no one will know how bad things will be until after the event. Also mention the good that could come out of this event. Y2K may allow us to rethink our priorities and it may serve as a wake-up call for other technological problems (nuclear weapons, El Nino, global warming, etc.)… Our observation has been that many people have to be told of the problem many times, and from many sources.” (Pg. xxx)
They advise, “Should there be a temporary lapse in electrical power, alternative sources of lighting must be provided for in advance. Lighting is essential. If your house is plunged into darkness at 5:30 each afternoon, chances are your mood will follow. Acquiring emergency lighting before the event, this is relatively inexpensive and easy. After the event, it becomes very difficult, perhaps impossible (ever try to find a candle or batteries after they have announced a hurricane is heading your way).” (Pg. 106)
They explain, “If water delivery through your normal sources is disrupted and you want to be able to take a hot bath or shower, you will not only have to store much more water but also create an alternative water hearing system and showering as well. There is one inexpensive alternative that requires little water for a reasonable shower. Solar showers are available at most camping goods stores…” (Pg. 151)
They note, “Many people are considering buying a gun for added protection. The reasons for this are obvious: everything from packs of abandoned dogs to criminals feeling less threatened by overloaded police forces. For many of us who do not presently own guns, this decision is complex and I will give no advice here. But whether we own a gun or not, there is one thing we believe to be true. If Y2K causes major problems within our society, the best way to approach these problems is by pulling together with our neighbors and our communities, not through a bunker mentality of armed individual family units… Perhaps we need to shift from ‘Don’t come knocking on my door if you don’t prepare’ to ‘I guess I better stock some extra food to help those idiots who just wouldn’t listen.’’ (Pg. 170)
They state, “Gold is preferred because you need 75 times more weight in silver to create the same value of gold. $10,000 in silver can be a heavy, cumbersome asset. Not so with gold. However, if things were to get too unstable, the U.S. government has the right to call in all gold minted after 1933 for $50 per ounce. This is why the American gold coins say $50 on them though they trade for much more.” (Pg. 208)
They suggest, “fixing any Y2K bugs in your [computer] system before the roll over may be best. You can easily test to see how your computer will rollover. You simply advance the date to December 31, 1999 at 11:58 PM and see if it rolls over to 2000. If it does, your ‘hardware’ is Y2K ready. If it rolls over to 1900… it must be fixed.” (Pg. 212)
They explain, “Many consumer financial services providers, such as banks, mortgage companies, investment firms, and credit card issuers rely on computer systems to perform a variety of date-sensitive functions, including: *Calculating interest and other charge; *Tracking deposit, loan, and lease payments; *Transferring funds electronically; *Producing billing or other periodic statements…” (Pg. 332-333)
Robert Roskind concludes, “Almost every lesson we must learn to continue on this planet with the power of our existing technology is listed above. Failure to learn any one of them continues to put our species at risk. Y2K has the ability to teach us every lesson. This is absolutely necessary if we are to continue on this planet much longer, given the existing level and power of our technology. These lessons will not be learned easily. As with all other human lessons, they will be learned through our pain. But they can be learned. As individuals asking what we can do to usher in this new paradigm, the answer is clear: in addition to whatever actions and work we feel called to do.” (Pg. 235)
Edward Yourdon died in 2016; he wrote a number of fine books (e.g., ‘The Decline and Fall of the American Programmer’), but he lost a great deal of credibility for this book and its predecessor, ‘Time Bomb 2000.’
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews