And now a word from our sponsor B>)

Penny was instrumental in setting this whole thing up. This is what she has to say:

Penny Howell

My own personal experiences were fairly straightforward. I found myself (in Feb 1997, by which time I had known about Y2K for 5 months - is "Knowing about Y2K the "New Facts of Life"?) suddenly receiving lots of startling info about Y2K. I had inadvertently, and not realizing what would come of it, signed onto Dave Walton's lists at Durham!

I particularly enjoyed the regular contributions from Doug Morrison, and attended a seminar he arranged at the Hilton Hotel in Spring 1997, thus meeting him and also very briefly David Atkinson M.P.(or was it his personal assistant)? At any rate, contact was made and I have received several of his press briefings since then. I was able to meet Doug and David again when they came to the BBC to be interviewed by Antony (on different days) and sat silently in the studio.

I also enjoyed Mike Kusmirak's contributions, and have his book. Unfortunately, Antony was not able to let me know the interview time so I haven't met Mike yet.

Antony and I were so intrigued with the Auckland crisis - I showed him printouts of all Mark Roberts' bulletins - that I recommended a telephone interview. This was eventually arranged, despite the time difference! (11 hours). I emailed Mark Roberts first to fix this up.

I had had various emails with Dave Walton whenever my "lists" got lost, then saw him on the platform at the March 31st conference at which Tony Blair also spoke. Dave was by far the best speaker. After his interview with Antony, I was able to meet him at King's Cross Station before he returned to northerly Durham! As I live and work in Central London, it is no problem to go to large railway stations or the BBC.

I had heard Robin Guenier's name and eventually tracked down his telephone. When I rang him on his mobile, he was on a train which kept disappearing in tunnels. But he was pleased to get coverage on Radio 3 as he had been on some of the other stations already, but not the music one! I was able to meet him in the BBC lobby after Antony's interview. Our attempt at conversation was constantly interrupted by his mobile phone ringing, and the resultant calls he wanted to make. He was very preoccupied with getting into the March 31st conference, as he had been badly snubbed by the government in 1997. I got the impression of a very busy man with a very important mission. He, like Karl Feilder, now has a regular column in Computer Weekly.

David Atkinson is still hoping to get a Bill on Y2K passed on the last available day for a Private Member's Bill - July 3rd. No guarantee of time though.