Forum/gorchov/dt1stmark2nd

It’s 130 days and counting. Some people are still overhauling their computer systems for the millennium changeover, while others are hoarding medicine and preparing to take extra money out of the bank before the big day. So the Business Journal asks:

What are you doing to get ready for Y2K?

L. Darren Mattix [pic6-28nm]

Executive Vice President

Illig Construction Co.

I’m stocking up on all the champagne I can buy no, seriously, I haven’t given it much thought. My wife has probably given it more thought than me. We’re going to stay in town and have a quiet celebration with close friends who live nearby. The focus for me is less on the celebration and more on the preparation so that it goes smoothly. At work, we’re dealing with any of the concerns that have been brought up in relation to Y2K computer issues and equipment, to make sure that we’ve done all we can to insure that nothing happens.

Susan McCarthy

Graduate Student

For New Year’s Eve, I’m going to be really boring I’m planning on doing nothing. To prepare for Y2K, I’m taking my old computer, which I only use for e-mail and writing papers, and backing up everything and reformatting it, because it’s not Y2K compliant. My brother suggested I go to the Microsoft and Quicken Web sites to check out what they suggest for home computers. I got my new computer within the last two years, so it is Y2K compliant.

Dana R. Ashton [pic6-28nm]

Chief Financial Officer

Regent Properties

My plans are to stay home and do nothing. I’ll spend New Year’s with my family. Most people in my age group don’t want to be out partying, this year especially. For business, we’re contacting our vendors and lenders and ascertaining that they’re Y2K compliant. And we’re reviewing all systems internally to make sure our accounting, software and telephone departments are compliant.

Donald Springer

Partner

Morris Architects

Business-wise, we’ve been getting ready for over a year. Our MIS people have given us a clean bill of health, and we’ve been preparing for several years, so we’re anticipating no problems at all. On a personal level, I’m not too concerned about our compliance at home. I would welcome a few days where we can pretend to have the simple life without electronic interruptions. We’ll have a relatively quiet New Year with friends. We generally get together with six or seven couples. We don’t plan on traveling or going to Fiji or anyplace that would create more hassles than it’s worth.

Laura Chan

Branch Manager

Robert Half International

On a professional level, I’m ensuring that we’re responsive to our clients’ needs and inquiries regarding Y2K compliance and standards. On a personal level, for the year 2000, I’m still setting specific goals for myself that I will actually fulfill this year. I’m definitely staying in the Southern California area this New Year, to avoid the crowds. Being fairly new to the L.A. area, I’d like to explore what’s here.

Carolina Duarte

Program Director

Big Sisters of Los Angeles

Personally, we’re planning a big get-together, a family reunion in the Midwest, for my cousin’s wedding in January. Another cousin will be celebrating the birth of a baby that is due around the 31st of December. So I will be travelling, but not on January 1st. At work, I’m making sure I’m keeping hard copies of everything.