Re: User Petition on Standards to Netscape and Microsoft

[Peter Deutsch <peterd at Bunyip.Com>]

[ You wrote: ]

}    Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 11:16:39 -0800
}    From: "sanjay kulkarni" <kulkarni at worldtalk.com>
} 
}    This approach though very simple is not without its problems. Remember
}    time_t
}    gets into trouble in 2036. (Assuming 32 bits for an integer).
} 
} If we're still using 32 bit OS's by the year 2036.....


DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!

hmmm...

	2036 - 1998 = 38 years


	1998 - 38 years = 1960

What are the chances that there is a technical assumption
made in 1960 that is affecting us today that was justified
by exactly that line of reasoning?? It does predate the
System/360, but perhaps something to do with the Fortran
compilers then in use? Cobol? Eight bit bytes? There are
certainly a few...

Now, in 1960 I was watching cartoons, so I can't be held
personally responsible for anything done back then, but
this email thread is being archived, so in 2036 somebody
may dig this out and we'd better not leave such evidence
of our assumptions lying around!  :-)


				- peterd

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     Peter Deutsch,                                   (514) 875-8611  (phone)
  Bunyip Information Systems Inc.                     (514) 875-8134  (fax)
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   "Did you ever walk in a room and forget why you walked in? I think
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                                                  --Sue Murphy
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