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Poll Finds Americans Generally Not Worried about Possible "Year 2000" Computer GlitchesSome Concern Voiced Over Air Travel, BankingWhile a majority of Americans think computer mistakes due to the Year-2000 issue will cause only minor problems for themselves or in general, nearly half surveyed said they would avoid travelling on airplanes on or around January 1, 2000, and nearly two-thirds said they would seek extra confirmation of bank account, retirement fund or other financial records, according to a recent Gallup poll. The nationwide telephone poll, released by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and USA Today, surveyed 1,032 adults between December 9 and 13. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points. "This poll shows much of the American public is aware of possible Year 2000 computer mistakes," said George Strawn, NSF's Computer Networking Division Director. "This underscores how truly integrated computers already are in our everyday lives, and how much we depend on them. With a full year before the Year 2000, American industry, government and academia are largely aware of what they need to do be fully prepared. We hope this poll helps raise the American public's awareness of the Year 2000 issue and encourages greater computer literacy," Strawn added. Nearly 80% of poll respondents say they have seen or heard "some or a great deal" about the Year 2000 computer problem, sometimes called the "Y2K bug," which arises from computers that are improperly programmed to comprehend a computer's date field correctly. Other key poll findings include:
Despite media accounts of some Americans who are now preparing for food delivery or water systems to fail, the poll found:
NSF is an independent federal agency responsible for funding more than $3.5 billion annually of research and education in science and engineering. -NSF- The USA Today/Gallup Poll: Americans and the Y2K Millennium Computer Bug Final Topline Results are available at http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/events/fow/y2k/start.htm. ALL MEDIA NOTE: Copies of an Executive Summary and of the poll questions and response rates are available by calling Bill Line at NSF's Office of Legislative and Public Affairs, (703) 306-1070, or by checking NSF's website at www.nsf.gov after 9:00am, December 31st, 1998. For more information on NSF's guidance, go to NSF's Y2K page for NSF grantees. On New Year's weekend, copies of all printed materials and hardcopies of television B-Roll tapes are available by calling: Julia Moore, (202) 363-6532 or Mary Bullock, (703) 536-4723. TELEVISION REPORTERS/PRODUCERS NOTE: A satellite feed including
related B-Roll of poll-related items and soundbites of George Strawn, NSF's Computer Networking Division Director, will feed tape: Telestar 4, Transponder 23 Beta SP videotape copies of the same satellite feed are available by calling Bill Line at NSF's Office of Legislative and Public Affairs, (703) 306-1070. |