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'Millennium bug' should spare Argonne

Just before midnight on Dec. 31, 1999, the popping champagne corks will be accompanied by a lingering sense of dread. People will check their watches, and then eye their PCs nervously. Will their computers die with the fading chords of "Auld Lang Syne"?

For many computer and software systems, the year 2000 could bring problems in programs that record the year using only the last two digits. The computer experts at Argonne, however, have been preparing for the next millennium and they feel confident that the systems critical to laboratory operation are updated and ready.

"We don't anticipate any major problems," said Clarence Beck (OPS), information resource management director. "We've upgraded all of our major administrative systems, and most of our other programs don't fit the Millennium Bug profile." On New Year's day 2000, Beck expects the telephone system and other laboratory-wide administrative programs to be running normally.

Individual users should check their own programs. "We are urging scientists who write their own code to review their programs and check for dates," said Tim Kuhfuss, ECT division director. Any time a date field in a pre-printed form automatically starts with a 19, a user should take notice.

Users can check their programs by choosing a convenient time and resetting their computer's clock to one stroke before midnight on Dec. 31, 1999. For non-critical applications, a "wait and see" approach is an effective way to address the problem.

Employees with questions about their computer systems can contact Tim Kuhfuss at ext. 2-4360 or Clarence Beck at ext. 2-7735.

Kazakstanis attend
security workshop
at Argonne-West

Five members of a nuclear facility security team from Kazakstan visited Argonne-West recently to receive training on how to incorporate new equipment into their security system.

This was the first-ever workshop of its kind at Argonne-West.

During their two-week visit to Argonne-West, the five-member team from Kazakstan's BN 350 nuclear facility, located in the city of Aktau, worked side-by-side with Argonne-West security employees to learn how to incorporate several security devices into their security system.

To train the team members, Argonne-West prepared mock-ups of representative security equipment used at Argonne facilities. Argonne-West Security employees demonstrated the use of metal detectors, special nuclear materials detectors and area monitoring capabilities.

Once familiar with the security equipment, the Kazaks prepared a draft set of procedures in Russian for use in their facilities.

AMOS catalog reaches 1.25 million items

The Argonne Material Ordering System (AMOS) reached a major milestone earlier this year when the number of items available through the AMOS on-line system catalog surpassed one million. By August, the number had risen to 1.25 million and was still climbing.

The AMOS system, instituted in 1987 as a method for "stockless" purchasing, has been expanded and enhanced, allowing authorized users to purchase items in the AMOS catalog directly from their desktops without using paper forms.

The AMOS catalog includes the full product lines of 19 suppliers, plus access to materials held in Stores East (Building 5).

Product offerings of several major AMOS suppliers have expanded in recent months, including laboratory supplies and chemicals (full offerings of both Fisher Scientific and VWR Scientific Products), electrical supplies and electronic components, hardware, tools, fasteners, and photographic, safety and office supplies. Virtually all products shown in suppliers' printed catalogs are available on line through AMOS.

The AMOS system processes thousands of purchases monthly. Currently, 60 percent of these purchases are completed on line. The requisition, order, receipt and payment functions can be completed by computer without the intervention of the Procurement Dept.

Other recent enhancements to the AMOS system include the ability to search the laboratory's chemical management system for surplus chemicals. AMOS also has a direct interface with the Environment, Safety and Health Division's chemical tracking system.

AMOS user software is available for Windows and Macintosh computers. Some training is required. Local network administrators should be able to help install and set up the software.

Complete information on the AMOS system is available on the Procurement Department's web site. For more information, contact Purchasing/Systems Contracts Manager Joe Ingraffia (OCF-PRO) at ext. 2-3640.

Barbecue kicks off
ANL-W charity drive

Argonne-West will kick off its United Way drive with a barbecue on Thursday, Sept. 11.

The event will include food, entertainment and prize drawings.

Several other United Way events are planned throughout September and October at the Idaho site, including a bake sale, car wash and silent auction.

CHM's Anderson returns
from arctic expedition

This summer, Argonne's Ken Anderson (CHM) proved just how small the world is becoming. While on a scientific expedition in the far reaches of the arctic, Anderson communicated via e-mail with students in his native Australia.

An organic geochemist, Anderson was one of five researchers who traveled to Axel Heiberg Island in the far northern Canadian arctic in July. The research site lies between the magnetic north pole and the geographic north pole, at about 80 degrees north so far on top of the world, Anderson said, that compasses there point southwest.

Anderson left for the expedition planning to maintain contact with Argonne via satellite link and offering to receive and answer e-mail, also via satellite link, from teachers and students around the world. He also left not knowing if it would work since no one had ever done it with portable equipment from that far north.

"It didn't work as completely as I'd hoped," he said. "The signal wasn't strong enough." As a result, Anderson was only able to send and receive very short, text-only messages. Anything longer or larger would become too garbled with errors.

The group left for Canada on July 6 and spent just under two weeks at the site, which experiences daylight 24 hours a day at that time of year.

The temperature hovered just above freezing the entire time, Anderson said, and it was gray and cloudy with a few snow showers. The sun peeked through the clouds only once during their stay at around midnight.

"Life there is right on the edge of survival. We could see the ice cap from our site," he said. "The wind is the biggest environmental factor, and the temperature felt quite cold from the wind blowing off the ice cap."

The expedition collected fossilized leaves, pine cones and logs from the remains of a forest which grew at the site 45 million years ago. Anderson and his colleagues spent hours laying on their stomachs, peeling layers of leaves, bark and other materials away with tweezers. "It was like peeling away the pages of a wet book," he said.

Researchers hope the samples will provide valuable information about the environment and climate as it was then, as well as about forest structures and ecology. The expedition was a chance for researchers to collect samples of some of the world's best-preserved prehistoric trees.

Anderson's research focuses on how plant matter leaves, bark, wood, and resin is converted into coal.

The expedition was funded by the Mellon Foundation. Anderson's research is funded through DOE's Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Chemical Sciences.

"It was a very successful trip," Anderson said. "We collected a lot of good samples. It's a very, very different place on Earth."

Argonne Chess Club plans
lunchtime 'speed-chess' tournaments

The Argonne Chess Club will hold lunchtime speed-chess tournaments open to all employees Monday Sept. 15, 22 and 29 in Argonne-East's Building 362, room E188.

Entry fee is $1. All entry fees will be returned as prizes. The chess club will provide all needed equipment.

Games will be timed at 5 minutes each. The tournaments will use Swiss system pairings if more than six players enter, otherwise pairings will be round robin.

Registration ends at noon. Games will start at 12:05 p.m.

For more information, call Dave Baurac (OPA) at ext. 2-5584 or Bob Hill (RA) at ext. 2-4865.

Cardiovascular, diabetes screening offered

Argonne's Preventive Health and Wellness Program will hold a cardiovascular and diabetes screening on Thursday, Sept. 25, and seminars during the month of October at Argonne-East.

The 15-minute complete diabetes and coronary risk screening includes a blood lipid profile (cholesterol levels) and measurements of resting blood pressure, body fat analysis and genetic tendencies to gain fat in the abdomen. Participants will receive the cardiologist's interpretation of the results.

Each part of the screening is voluntary, and results are confidential. The cost of the screening is $20. For registration information, contact the Medical Dept. at ext. 2-2811.

The one-hour seminars are free and will be held in Argonne-East's Building 200 Auditorium, except as noted below, starting at 11:30 a.m. No registration is necessary. Seminars include:

§ Screening Results, Friday, Oct. 17. Kathy Freeman, exercise physiologist and athletic trainer, will explain screening results and discuss lowering risk factors.

§ "Exercise Your Heart," Monday, Oct. 20. (Building 200, Room J183).

§ "Low-Fat, Low-Sugar, High-Fiber Nutrition," Tuesday, Oct. 21.

§ "Health Under Stress: Health-Inducing Attitudes and Relationships," Thursday, Oct. 23.

And they're off ...
to Argonne Club's
'Night at the Races'

The Argonne Club will host a "Night at the Races" on Friday, Sept. 19, at Sportsman's Park.

The $10 cost includes a buffet dinner from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., clubhouse admission, racing program, parking or bus transportation and a complimentary group photo in the winner's circle.

Tickets will be on sale in Argonne-East's Building 213 Cafeteria daily from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. until the event.

From more information, contact Sherry Strahla (ECT) at ext. 2-5678.

PFS plans seminar
on dealing with
workplace change

The Plant Facilities and Services Division will host a free interactive seminar at Argonne-East on "Building Nimble Organizations for Turbulent Times."

Presenter Daryl R. Conner will explain how to successfully negotiate turbulent workplace situations. His methodology focuses on how to change, rather than simply what to change.

Conner is an internationally recognized leader in the field of change management, founder and chief executive officer of the ODR Co., and author of "Managing at the Speed of Change."

The seminar will be held at the Advanced Photon Source Auditorium, Building 401, on Tuesday, Sept. 16, from noon to 2 p.m. All Argonne employees whose work schedules permit are invited to attend.

Seminar examines
effect of divorce on kids

A seminar on "The Effects of Divorce on Kids" will be presented at Argonne-East Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 11:30 a.m. in the Building 200 Auditorium.

Valerie Jencks Snell, a licensed marriage and family therapist at The Family Institute, will discuss current research results on the effects of divorce on children of all ages. She will also discuss divorce prevention and identify resources for couples contemplating separation.

All Argonne and DOE employees and their family members are welcome to attend.

The seminar is sponsored by Argonne's Employee Assistance and Preventive Health and Wellness programs.

NEW ARRIVALS

A girl, Lauren Rae, born Aug. 20 to Larry and Angie McKay (OPA); a boy, Kazuma, born July 2 to first-time parents Michiko and Shuichi Hasegawa (PHY); a girl, Kylee, born Aug. 10 to Kenny Burnside (RPS); a son, Niels Stephen, born June 5 to Joe Mitchell (ED); a girl, Kristine, born July 14 to Ryan Tew (RPS); a girl, Mallory, born July 14 to Daren Thomas (RPS); a son, Tanis, born July 17 to Brad Butler (RPS); a girl, Makenzie, born June 2 to Rowdy Christiansen (RPS); a son, Benjamin, born June 23 to Steve Hayes (ED); a girl, Megan, born June 23 to Steve Aumeier (ED); a boy, Nathan, born June 5 to Scott Wilde (RPS); a son, John (Jake), born to Jack Burke (XFD) and his wife; a girl, Elin Linnea, born May 18 to Roger Dejus (XFD) and his wife. Proud grandparents: a grandson, Connor, born July 3 for Jerry (RPS) and Chris Ward (OD); a granddaughter, Dana Niclo, born July 16 for Jackie Griffith (IPD-MED).

ACHIEVEMENTS

Stacie Wicklatz, wife of Eddie Wicklatz (EMO), earned a bachelor of science degree in nursing. Bruce Jensen (OD) was inducted into Pi Beta Tau Honor Society at Idaho State University. Jeff Collins (XFD) completed his master's degree. Amanda Batoviski, granddaughter of Tony Kras (RE), was the national champion in her division at the U.S. National Tumling Championship in Orlandao, Fla.

WELCOME

MCS welcomes Mihai Anitescu, Ibrahima Ba, Lilac Berniker, Joe Bester, Sandra Bittner, Lisa Childers, Yu Gu, Paul Hovland, David Keyes, Marco Mancini, Karen Rayl, Rongqin Sheng, Evgeni Selkov, Debbie Swider, Brian Toonen, and Paul Zawada. PHY welcomes Jolie Cizewski, Dirk DeShepper, Subhendu Ghosh, Douglas Koltenuk, Bryon Mueller, Mark Randolph, Alejandro Sonzogni and Thorsten Weber. XFD welcomes Dixie Franklin and Armon McPherson.

WEDDINGS/ENGAGEMENTS

Congratulations to Erin and Joseph Bester (MCS) on their Aug. 9 wedding; to Kelly and Patrick Beallis (EMO-WM) on their Aug. 2 wedding; to Scarlet Poulson and Humerto Garcia (ED) on their Aug. 9 wedding; to Nancy Akiyoski's (EAD) son Steve, who was married Aug. 31; and to Herb Strasser and Susan Barr Strasser (XFD) on their July 19 wedding. Best wishes to Lorri Roe's (ESH-IH) daughter, Jennifer, on her engagement to Matt Kroll.

CONDOLENCES

Condolences to Andrew Kelly (ASD) on the death of his aunt and nephew; to Roseanne Supej (ASD) on the death of her father-in-law; to Scott Petersen (ASD) on the death of his father; to Maxine Klossner (ED) on the death of her husband; to Bill Vroman (RPS) on the death of his father-in-law; to Amy Singletary (ES) on the death of her grandmother; to Leo Morrissey (CMT) on the death of his mother-in-law; to George Vandegrift (CMT) on the death of his mother; to Mike Krumpelt (CMT) on the death of his mother; and to Fred Martino (CMT) on the death of his father.

TRANSITIONS

Good luck to Faith Ruppert who transferred from EAD to RE.

FAREWELL

Good luck to Paul Plassmann, Rich Lehoucq, Steve Vavasis, and Zhijun Wu (all MCS); Pamela Arndt, Peter Cabauy, James Fredchak, Haiyan Gao, Albrecht Gillitzer; Tom LeBrun, Jennifer Nemanich, Stephan Saremba, Ajhijit Sarkar and Dmitri Toporkov (all PHY), Jeannie Jensen (OD), Barbara Donovan-Swanick (RPS), Lexi Ellis (RPS), Ellen Chappell (OD), Joycy Henry, Roberta Scanlon, Kendall McKennie, Rich Cwanek, Gerry Johnson, Barb Rogowski, and Lynette McCallum (all IPD-MED), Ann Rogers (IPD-TCS), Amy Lei (XFD), Chuck Beck (ECT), Earl Welch (ECT), and Cho-Chone Chu (RE) who have all left the laboratory.

CONTRIBUTORS

Thanks to this issue's contributors: Judy Beumer (MCS); Barbara Burke (ECT); Linda Carlson (XFD); Loretta Cescato (CMT); Bonnie Gianpetro (EMO); Gloria Griparis (IPD-TCS)Diana Grygiel (ESH); Barb Hall (ASD); Connie Hutchens (AW-RPS); Jo Ann Parnell (ES); Faith Ruppert (EAD); Kim Tomasko (RE); Barb Weller (PHY); and John Whennen (IPD-MED).

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