Dear Editor:
With reference to the article "Who's Afraid of Y2K" in the May issue of Sino-rama, I would like to take this opportunity to talk about worldwide computer technology. I have a "different" view which might be of interest in this technological age:
Since ancient times, the Chinese have calculated the years by the sexagenary cycle of the lunar calendar. If our computers counted years in this way too, we wouldn't have the "millennium bug" problem. To prevent attack by computer viruses, perhaps Chinese computer scientists could consider changing to writing software in Chinese, and creating a uniquely Chinese computing environment. We shouldn't depend on Western methods, and be controlled by others. The Egyptian and Babylonian cultures were lost, but Chinese culture has been able to continue for thousands of years without interruption. The reason is that the Chinese have never given up the study of their ancient language. It should be no different with computer language.
Next year is the Year of the Dragon. As the saying goes: "When your luck's in, you're a dragon; when your luck's out, you're a bug." Will we be dragons? Or millennium "bugs"? It all depends on us "Descendants of the Dragon" !
Editor
Mr. Fan's suggestion that computers should count years by the Chinese sexa-genary cycle of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches seems impractical, as to facilitate communication, computer languages need to be compatible internationally. Furthermore, since computer viruses are written in computer code, they are not directly related to culture.
Copping In
Dear Editor:
I am an ordinary police officer. I was very moved when I read your article "NPA Blues." It really captures and understands the feelings and frustrations of ordinary police officers. However, while improvements in the police personnel and promotion system [which provided much of the focus of the article] would be important to us, even more important in relieving the pressure on ordinary policemen would be an improvement in society's behavior and a lowering of the crime rate. As the crime rate rises and criminals' tactics become harsher, front-line police officers and their families are living under ever greater stress. This is the nature of police work, of course, and the source of its pride, but still I hope that society will give us more support, so that we can do an even better job and our children can feel proud of us.
Mr. Chang, Sungshan
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