‘Y2K’ seminar sheds a little light

Only about 12 people were on hand last Thursday at the Red Dog Inn here for a presentation on what small business can do to prepare for the “Y2K” bug.
Presented by Renalto Pullia of the Northwestern Ontario Technology Centre in Thunder Bay, the session focused mainly on a workbook which presented answers and explanations common to the “Y2K” problem.
Perhaps the common theme was that there is no “quick fix” to the problem due to the fact so many machines are in question when determining what is “compatible” and what isn’t.
“There is a problem but it is manageable,” said Pullia. “There is a time frame so there’s no reason we can’t prepare.
“Hopefully, I can make people comfortable enough with the issue to be able to tell others about it and not make it sound like a problem that can’t be dealt with,” he remarked.
“I think there was a lot of information available,” said Rebecca Spencer of the Rainy River Future Development Corp. here. “And just in case anyone missed it, the workbook [he] gave out will be on file here for a while.
“It clarified a lot of the issues I had,” she noted. “I think those who attended [the session] got a lot out of it.”
“I think it’s very important for businesses, no matter how small, to be prepared for those issues surrounding ‘Y2K,’” stressed Tanis Drysdale, a director of the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce.
And at least one attendee would have liked to have seen more local business reps there.
“I was disappointed it was so poorly attended,” remarked Bob Tester, controller for McTaggart’s.
“But for the people who were there, it was informative,” he added. “It told you to check out the higher-inventory items, like any machinery, to check it will be compatible.
“If not, then you better be calling those manufacturers,” he said.
The presentation was brought here courtesy of FedNor through the RRFDC.
Those who missed the presentation, but would like to know more about what they can do as a small business, can contact the RRFDC at 274-3276.