That was the Y2K issue. The root of the problem was that early on in the development of computers, programmers attempted to save storage space (which at the time was at a premium) by having programs on store the last two digits of the year. This worked fine, as long as the programs could safely assume it was the 20th century. However, as 2000 approached, programmers began to realize that there could be serious consequences of having the computers assume that "00" meant 1900, instead of 2000. There was a considerable rush to correct the problem before the infamous rollover date, but there were still many who predicted dire consequences, claiming that potentially affected systems would not be completely repaired in time. These predictions ran from the mundane to the ridiculous, encompassing everything from minor irritations due to everyday technological issues to widespread bank failures to worldwide nuclear Armageddon. In point of fact, there were very few problems associated with Y2K when the new year rolled around, and none significant