BKD to offer education on year 2000 Aug. 20

The Table Rock Lake/Kimberling City Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the "Year 2000 Readiness Workshop" Aug. 20. The program is an opportunity to learn why businesses should be concerned about the year 2000 and what they can do to prepare for it, according to a news release from the chamber.

Personal computers, mainframe information systems, phones, heating and air systems, fax machines, medical equipment, elevators these and other types of equipment which rely on embedded computer-chip technology could fail to function properly at the turn of the century, the release stated.

This problem, known as the year 2000, or Y2K, glitch, is a result of computerized systems being unable to recognize the two-digit number "00" as the year 2000; instead, systems and software programs may recognize "00" as the year 1900, which could cause big problems for everyone.

Guest speaker Timothy Beranek of Baird, Kurtz & Dobson will unlock some keys to understanding Y2K at the workshop. The educational program will be offered 9-11 a.m. and again 6-8 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Tri-Lakes Telecommunication Community Resource Center, located at the new Reeds Spring High School, the release said.

Participants will get the latest information on Y2K, learn about solutions, find out about helpful resources and receive disks for testing their own computers' readiness for the new millennium.

According to recent information, more than 80 percent of the nation's small employers use computers and other equipment that may run afoul of the year 2000. However, general awareness of the problem has sparked very little concern and even less preventive action, the release stated.

Of the people who are aware of the problem, only 25 percent have begun to identify and to resolve any potential problems. And more than 50 percent plan to do nothing other than wait and see.

"The potential impact of the Y2K 'bug' is enormous the key is to be as aware and adequately prepared as possible,' said Roselia Hamilton, executive director of the Table Rock Lake chamber, in the release. "We hope that our 'Year 2000 Readiness Workshop' will provide an incentive to our local businesspeople and residents to take a more proactive approach to the Y2K challenge."

The workshop fee is $25 per person. Seating is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

For information on how to register, contact the Table Rock Lake chamber office at 417-739-2564 or 800-595-0393.

Supporting sponsorship for the workshop is provided by Mercantile Bank, Skaggs Community Health Center, Stone County Extension Council and the Tri-Lakes Telecommunication Community Resource Center.

The workshop is being organized as a service to the community by the General Business Enhancement Committee of the Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce.

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