Two training sessions were held in December, 1998 for Y2K coordinators to give them training in the use of the PC testing software named ACTY2000. This software was produced by the Information Technology Services Division of the Hong Kong SAR Government which has kindly allowed us to use the software on any university-owned PC. Upgrade strategies for dealing with non-compliant versions of applications software such as databases, word processors and spreadsheets were also covered in these sessions. Departments with large data files built with non-compliant software were advised to consider more powerful Y2K tools which they can purchase for a few hundred dollars per PC from the software vendors.
At a third session for coordinators held on 27th January, 1999 there was also an opportunity to discuss Y2K problems with the Director of the Computer Centre. One popular question was "who will pay for the replacement equipment?". The Computer Centre can however only offer technical advice to all departments on drawing up action/contingency plans and on the use of testing software etc.. The Computer Centre does not have funds for departments to replace their hardware or software and departments will have to find their own funding for replacement of computers. If your department does have major equipment with Y2K issues, please talk to the Y2K Task Force as soon as possible to draw up an action plan.
Since January 1999, the Government requires the University to report on our Y2K compliance progress on a monthly basis, instead of bimonthly. We shall require your input to report on your Y2K compliance status also on a monthly basis until you have achieved compliance. Coordinators are to report their departments' Y2K progress on a web form maintained at the website
https://uis.hku.hk/staffweb/plsql/y2k_survey.main.
We ask for your co-operation to work together to meet our target of
early Y2K compliance, the latest by June 30, 1999.
D.P. Carthy
Tel: 28590535
Email: dpc@cc.hku.hk