SPRING 1999
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In this issue
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Extension, community colleges take on Y2K It's Jan. 1, 2000. From traffic lights to elevators to tap water - will anything that relies on embedded computer processors work? These are the kinds of questions that Iowans are asking as the year 2000, Y2K, gets closer. To find some answers, the Iowa Manufacturing Technology Center (IMTC, part of Iowa State University Extension), Iowa's community colleges and several partnering organizations are presenting a series of workshops through the Iowa Communications Network. Businesses, manufacturers, cities, organizations and citizens can attend and receive reliable information about the risks that the Y2K computer problem may present.
"Since we began our program last June, we have talked to over 3,000 Iowans about Y2K. Slowly, we are making progress, and we believe that Iowa is further along in public outreach than any other state," Noble said. Heather Roberts, manager of technology for the Iowa League of Cities, has attended the first workshop in the series. "I'm encouraging city officials to go. I think it's a good service." The Iowa League of Cities is an advocacy group for city governments. The league does not have the level of technical expertise necessary to deal with the Y2K problem, Roberts said. She has to make the Iowa League of Cities Y2K compliant and also must ensure that Iowa's cities are aware of Y2K issues and the help that is available. "These kinds of workshops are going to help us help ourselves." For more information contact any community college or
ISU Extension county office. Or call IMTC at (515) 965-7125
or visit the IMTC Web site, http://www.iowamtc.org. |
The
workshops reflect the best practices and tools that are
available at any given time, said Tom Noble, IMTC associate
director. Those who attend can receive e-mail or fax updates
for the remainder of the Y2K episode to keep abreast of the
latest developments.