This collection was donated by Joan Krammer, who worked on the Y2K issue for the Canadian newspaper, The Globe and Mail. Headquartered in Toronto, the paper was founded in 1844 and, as of 2019, had 1.5 million daily readers.
The newspaper’s Y2K team was responsible for ensuring that all computer systems, those critical to the production of the newspaper as well as equipment such as elevators and thermostats, would continue to operate correctly in the year 2000. They examined, corrected, upgraded, and tested 878 systems that relied on computer clocks.
Included in the collection are eight proof sheets and 28 photocopies of letters. To prove that the newspaper could be produced, the clocks on all computer systems were rolled forward to 2000 and a test run was made. These proof sheets show the content for all departments, and a 2000 year date. The letters represent a sampling of those received by The Globe and Mail from vendors, advertisers, and subscription holders requesting assurance that the paper was Y2K compliant. It also contains sample reply letters in which the newspaper, to minimize the risk of legal action, states that proper attention was given to resolving Y2K related issues.
This computer-generated sheet acknowledges the contribution of an employee of the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to exterminating the Y2k "bug." It is signed by George A. Braley and Janice G. Lilja, and was given to the museum by Lilja.
Major computer software companies such as Microsoft and Apple provided Y2K compliant updated operating systems and application software for users to download. To help identify other Y2K issues on personal computers, a number of companies offered remedial software products. One of these was IntelliFIX 2000 by Intelliquis International, Inc. Their product would check hardware, DOS operating system, and software. This version was free and ran a pass/fail test. The full version, which could be purchased for $79, would report the issues and permanently correct date problems with the BIOS and the CMOS real-time clock. In 1999, Stewart Cheifet of the Computer Chronicles rated the product as a very good all-in-one solution for hardware and software.
In addition to a diskette from IntelliFIX, this museum number covers a floppu disk from SPaudit, two black cards (one an IBM 5334 and one an IBM 5344) in the shape of punch cards, and a Dysan 3 1/4" disk.
Included in this 17-piece collection of computer vendor literature are examples of Y2K focused company advertising.
Peregrine Systems, offered ServiceCenter 2000 Y2K Crisis Management software that provided businesses with a central point for managing, analyzing, tracking and reporting on Y2K issue remediation. This product could also be used after the Y2K crisis to document and respond to day-to-day emergencies.
Nortel Networks promoted a trade-in rebate program to make upgrading network technology to Y2K compliant hardware more affordable. Not only would they buy back in part their own products, they would do the same for those of competitors. The program was advertised as a Y2K-preparedness strategy.
IBM’s 31-page brochure stated “IBM e-business tools are ready for the year 2000. How ready are you?” This literature was directed toward small and medium-sized companies and described the various Y2K compliant hardware, software, and services available to them.
This metal medal and ribbon are in a cloth-lined leatherette case. The medal was awarded to Jan Lilja for work on assuring that computer programs developed in the 1900s would work in the year 2000 and later. For related objects, see 2016.0138.01 and 2016.3118.01.
