ll, ISBN 0-07-052517-X; $29.95
The Year 2000 Software Crisis
by William M. Ulrich and Ian S. Hayes; Prentice-Hall; ISBN 0-13-655664-7; $39.95
Solving the Year 2000 Problem
Jim Keogh's book is the most approachable and enjoyable of the trio. Keogh treats the Y2K problem seriously but cheerfully. Information managers need to understand the Y2K problem before they can fix it. This book provides basic information unburdened with minutiae.
Keogh uses examples in each chapter to gradually reinforce the idea that Y2K is a real problem with consequences at every level of business.
Then he guides you toward a solution via a series of simple steps.
Keogh also addresses the trade-offs between contracted and in-house solutions, including warning signs for detecting unscrupulous or ill-informed consultants. The book ends with pointers to more information, including Web resources, newsletters, journals, and vendors specializing in Y2K solutions.
The Year 2000 Problem Solver
This concise guidebook, by Bryce Ragland, is best suited for experienced information professionals. To get the most out of this book, you should understand the Y2K problem and the programming consequences. Of the book's 270 pages, 165 are devoted to a bibliography of article references, analysis and conversion tools, vendors offering conversion services, help resources, and case studies.
Instead of focusing solely on fixing applications, Ragland correctly places higher value on the data itself. He discusses how to keep existing legacy data from being corrupted during conversion of existing appl
ications or by updates from newer Y2K-aware applications.
Ragland's recommendations, such as creating task teams and motivating upper management, are appropriate to larger, enterprise settings.
The Year 2000 Software Crisis
This tome, by William M. Ulrich and Ian S. Hayes, is dry and ponderous. But given its encyclopedic coverage of the Y2K problem, it could hardly be otherwise. From history to management issues, asset management to mobilization, and implementation to validation, this book leaves no subject pertinent to Y2K unexplored.
The authors, professional IT consultants, are heavily involved in Y2K consulting, seminars, expos, and solution marketing. Their goal is to expose the reader to the full range of possible issue and the multitude of solutions for those issues, and they succeed. The expertise and experience the authors provide makes the journey worthwhile.
Those just coming up to speed on the Y2K problem would be well advised to start with one of the other two
books reviewed here. But once you master the basic concepts of the Y2K problem and need a solid conversion plan, this book will provide chapter and verse for an effective strategy.
Rob Hummel (Sullivan, NH) is a frequent contributor to BYTE. You can reach him by sending e-mail to
rhummel@cheshire.net
.
Book Review: The Year 200
