Subj : 2038: still be running a BBS?
To   : August Abolins
From : Arelor
Date : Tue Mar 23 2021 04:32:14

  Re: 2038: still be running a BBS?
  By: August Abolins to Sean Dennis on Mon Mar 22 2021 10:52 pm

 > Hello Sean!
 > 
 > ** On Monday 22.03.21 - 21:18, you wrote to me:
 > 
 >  AA>> The workaround is probably to only use apps that do not
 >  AA>> rely on dates whatsover.   ???
 > 
 >  SD> It depends on what language the program is written in.  If
 >  SD> it's C, just use a time library that uses an 8-byte time
 >  SD> instead of 4-byte.
 > 
 > That is a fine solution for programs that can still be
 > recompiled.  But it appears that legacy 16/32bit programs that
 > are nolonger supported, will have a DOA in 2038, no?
 > 
 > That means that all the programs that people have so feverishly
 > archived and play with using retro computers or using modern
 > computers with 16/32bit VMs/OSes, will be rendered useless?
 > 
 >  SD> I seriously doubt by 2038 I will still be running a BBS but
 >  SD> that's only 17 years away.  I've been running a BBS for 25
 >  SD> years so what's another 17 years?  I will probably have to
 >  SD> switch to Linux then since I doubt IBM will allow OS/2 to
 >  SD> be ported to 64 bit.
 > 
 > Hey.. I just heard that William Shatner turned 90yrs. That's
 > about 30yrs more than me. He does NOT look 90!  I know people
 > who are a bit older than me and less than 70 are in much worse
 > shape. Anyway.. Shatner makes another 30 years seems like a walk
 > in the park.  Who knows.. maybe some of us here will be just as
 > spry to keep BBSing in people's minds.  And 17 years to 2038 is
 > a long way from 90!  I'd start worrying at 2050. :D
 > 
 > --
 >   ../|ug

I suspect that by 2038, any 16/32 bit system will have to resort to setting a fake date. And interoperatibility will be toast
(no more connections using time-critical protocols between old and new systems).

I am sure Shatner is lasting that long because he has plenty of horses to love :-) Have you watched Star Trek: The Next
Generation? Kirk's ranch in the film is actually William's ranch, and the horses are actually his too. You can tell he is
showing her mare (I think  she was Eva) off very explicitly for the horse scenes. When you have that sort of thing to live for,
Death has to work extra hours to catch you :-D

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