Practical Jack

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Practical Jack's web site, www.y2k-checklist.com, is made for people who worry about Y2K being a catastrophic event which will create massive chaos. His web site gives tips and options for buying books to better prepare for the upcoming computer crisis. The following is an example of what he thinks will happen.

These are "survival packs." They include all the precautionary items to continue to live after the Y2K bug hits. Practical Jack recommends something like this to buy.

Tips from Practical Jack: General Planning

(Taken from the GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS chapter of Practical Jack's Checklist for Y2K - a contingency planning guide for surviving the Millennium Bug.)

How much preparation should I do for Y2K? To find the answer, take the Practical Jack's "Which Path to Follow" Test below:

How bad is Y2K going to be? Pick one.

1. Minor
2. Moderate
3. Major
4. Massive (remember, if you picked this, you shouldn't be reading this book)

How much time is left until Y2K begins? Pick one.

1. A couple of weeks-to-2-months
2. 2 - 6 months
3. 6 - 12 months
4. 1 year +

How much money do you have to spend on Year 2000? (This includes putting some cash aside.) Pick one

1. $1,000 - $5,000
2. $5,000 - $10,000
3. $10,000 - $25,000
4. $25,000 +

How much commitment are you willing to make in terms of time and effort? Pick one.

1. Minor
2. Moderate
3. Major
4. Massive

What was the LOWEST number you picked on ANY of the questions?

If your lowest number is a 1, then you can only make minor preparations. If the lowest number is a 2, then you can make moderate preparations; if a 3, then major preparations. Even if you think Y2K is going to create major disruptions, but you only have a few months to prepare, or only a little money, or less-than-serious commitment, then you simply cannot prepare for major disruptions. You'll have to do the best you can.

Whatever scenario you pick, start preparing today. Don't wait until you have a month left. I'm betting that provident storing will blossom into panic hoarding in the fall of 1999. If you just can't decide, and must take a "wait and see" approach, then review the Checklist, marking those things that will be entirely or mostly useful regardless if Y2K is serious or not. (Stocking up on toilet paper is a good example of a low-cost, low-effort, low-risk action.)

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