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Rick Cowles' speciality is electrical power generation, especially nuclear power. He makes this point about embedded chips:
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With respect to embedded logic control of plant safety systems, it is not yet apparent where any date sensitive logic in an embedded microprocessor might cause an inappropriate automatic system response on 01/01/2000. The point is: no one knows, because no one (to the knowledge of this author) has performed any extensive testing to determine if there is an issue. But certainly there are many issues surrounding embedded logic and date controls in many industrial applications and systems. In the world of nuclear energy, not knowing is the same as assuming that the worst will occur. Conservative safe operation of a nuclear power facility dictates this thought process.
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