[Very OT]Y2kWatchers Wanted

Please pardon the extreme Off-Topicness.

I've been contacted by a Health Care profesional in the continental USA. As
part of their Y2k contingency planning, they're looking for a series
of Reporters during the 31 Dec - 01 Jan Transition, in the time zones
for  GMT+12 to GMT-3.

What this means is people who are at least e-mail capable, who will be
by a machine during the transition, and who will report as best they're able
on any problems or lack thereof.

IMHO Ideal would be someone who has access to someone in a Hospital who can
within hours report any equipment (heart lung machines, cardiac monitors etc)
that are inoperative, but even a simple "Everything appears normal" or
"Intermittent Power Brownouts" with no Hospital connection would be useful.

Again IMHO Mobile Phone would be an advantage, as would ability to access
multiple carrier phone lines. And INMARSATPHONE would be great. But none of
the above is neccessary, dead silence from a region would be almost as useful
as a report detailing scope of the problem.

FWIW I think there will be few problems in my neck of the woods, but reporters
from SE Asia, China, Indian Subcontinent etc could be in a different position.

Re legal liability of reports forwarded through me - none, "All
reasonable care and no responsibility for accuracy of reports." This appears
to be a complete defence under Australian law for Y2k problem reports issued
in good faith (note the "all reasonable care" bit), and I'm the guy who's
attempting to find others to report, Jurisdiction is the Australian Capital
Territory. If you wish anonymity, that's fine after I verify your bona fides
as best I can.

In addition to reporters, I'm also looking for any organisations that would be
interested in whatever data we have. I can guarentee at least
one reporter - me - who's at GMT +11 (Australian Eastern Summer Time).

This is a voluntary service, there's no payment to anyone concerned. And it
will mean some thankless work when everyone else is busy celebrating. But I
will take the name of any reporter's favourite charitable organisation that
would then be forwarded to all beneficiaries (with no obligation for them to
do anything).

Feel free to forward to others who might be interested, but please be
responsible.

As I will likely to be on call, I can try to assist

Your wargamers aid package of bits and pieces is almost complete.

MAybe this week?

Cheers

MArkS

All the way from Gallifrey...