For background on the Y2K problem, I recommend the excellent article by Peter de Jager:
Peter de Jager. Y2K: So many bugs... so little time. Scientific American, 280(1):88-93, January 1999.Each report focuses on a different sector of our lives, as it might be affected by the Y2K bug: electric power, transportation, and so forth. In most cases there are two reports, prepared by two different teams of students. While there is a lot of duplication, each report often covers some interesting factor that was not considered by the other team's report.
Many of the topics are quite broad. Given the limited time, the students necessarily focused on certain aspects of their topic. In particular, the focus is almost entirely on the United States, with brief coverage of international issues.
Three topics are especially interesting, at least to those of us at Dartmouth College. Two groups studied Dartmouth College's readiness, as an example of a large organization attempting to prepare. Another studied the Town of Hanover, as an example of a local government's preparations. And a third studied Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, as an example of a hospital and as a context to discuss the health-care industry. My overall impression is that all three institutions are largely on top of the situation, although there are a few places for concern.
All in all, they're a good read.
David KotzPS. For ongoing coverage, I suggest the New York Times Y2K page as a place to start.
March 22, 1999
Dartmouth College
As a case study of a large institution.Town of Hanover
As a case study of a local government.Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
As a case study of a medical facility, and with some commentary about the health-care industry.
Communication infrastructure
Telephony and data, wireline and wireless, broadcast, and emergency communications. (Civilian only)Bandur and Bennett Brewer and Cummins Transportation infrastructure
Automotive, air, trucking, trains, shipping, and mass transit. (Civilian only)Power infrastructure
Electric power generation and distribution, including nuclear power. (Civilian only)Cheyne and Mor Lendvai and Shin Financial infrastructure
Banks, stock markets, insurance, EDI, and so forth. International perspective.Manufacturing infrastructure
Factories, supply chain, just-in-time delivery, and so forth. Case studies of automotive and chemical industries.Bhaidani, Grewal, and Vasudev Military infrastructure
Administration, weapons systems, command and control. International perspective.Boskovic and Hill Holt and Katz Government services
Focus on the US federal government, but with some coverage of state and foreign governments, and avoiding overlap with the above topics. For example, social security, taxes, health and human services, and so forth.Legal issues
Liability due to failures or incorrect readiness reports, warrantees, breach of contract. Discussion of current and pending laws.