Expected mini-Y2K problem is a nonissue

Greg Risling

NEWPORT-MESA -- A possible technical catastrophe that was a prelude

to the Y2K problem passed without any problems Thursday.

The over-hyped prediction of major trouble on 9/9/99 was only that and

nothing more, according to city officials. Some computer experts thought

today might give an indication about the forthcoming millennium bug that

is supposed to plague computers.

Some circles foresaw a computer collapse Thursday that would erase

records on older models computers that read the date 9999 as a file

expiration date.

Most cities, including Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, don’t have

computers from the 1960s and 1970s and thus the potential problem was a

nonevent.

“We never thought it was going to be a problem,” said Jonothon Cone,

the city’s computer operations coordinator. “It shouldn’t have been an

issue.”

Over in Costa Mesa, there weren’t any reports of computers suddenly

failing for no apparent reason.

“We’ve experienced no problems and haven’t heard of anyone who was

affected,” said Costa Mesa’s information systems manager Richard

Kirkbride. “It was a nonissue, nonevent whatever you want to call it.”

Not everyone was dreading Sept. 9. Cayla Dee and Shelby Lee Porter of

Costa Mesa were busy celebrating their 9th birthday amid the chaos of

their first day at Kaiser Elementary School. Their dad, Scott Porter,

didn’t really foresee the numerological alignment of the stars when the

twins were born.

But there is no question that nine is the family’s favorite number.

“There will be at least nine of their friends at their birthday party

this weekend,” Porter joked. “We didn’t think this far ahead, but we need

all the help we can get going into the next millennium. This is a day

they will never forget.”