Dynamic HTML, JavaScript, Java, Video Streaming, Cascading Style Sheets-just keeping track of the latest in Internet technologies is a full-time job. At ITS, that job belongs to Petek Kent-Abbott. As new Manager of ITS’ Web Support Group, she supervises a staff dedicated to creating a dynamic presence for Brooklyn College on the Web.

"The Internet connects everyone and allows for ideas to be displayed so quickly" states Petek. "It’s exciting to be a part of the Web during this early stage of mainstream acceptance. For work or for play, everything is at your fingertips based on your schedule."

Petek’s background, like the technology behind the Internet, is a combination of art and science. She lived across from Carnegie Hall for close to a decade. Growing up she studied music and art and developed a passion for both. She studied piano with concert pianists and learned to play flute and clarinet. Petek also painted and created a massive collection of collages. She was chosen to contribute to a mural for The Electric Company magazine.

At the age of 10 she became interested in computers. Later she learned to program in Assembler, Pascal, C++ and Cobol. Petek attended Baruch College on a full scholarship and graduated in 1992 Magna Cum Laude with a B.B.A in Computer Information Systems.

Petek began her career at a network training center where she developed a computerized payroll and accounts receivable systems, administered a Novell 3.11 network, and managed a staff. In 1994 she became a Novell Certified NetWare Engineer. Then she worked at a national law firm where she trained and supported staff in over a dozen applications. Petek comes to BC from Smith Barney, where she served as   -continued on page 2

A Year 2000 Planning Committee has been formed to examine Brooklyn College’s readiness for the "Year 2000" on college computers and automated systems. The Committee’s goal is to ensure that the campus will not encounter major disruptions and to minimize even minor effects on "millenium-challenged" systems. The "Year 2000 Problem" or "Y2K" is a term associated with data calculation problems some computer systems may have at the turn of the century. For example, some systems may treat 01/01/00 as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000. This can cause disruptions in data calculations, timing functions, and output of date-oriented information.

The college is seeking to determine critical areas in order to be Y2K ready. The Year 2000 Committee will be meeting regularly to investigate Y2K issues relating to all aspects of the college’s automated systems and will be building a master "status list." The implications and impact go far beyond PC’s and include telephone and alarm systems and elevators. The Y2K Committee is also working with the Purchasing Dept. to ensure that all new purchases of equipment and software meet Y2K standards. Of course, BC is working closely with both New York State and CUNY who are making independent assessments.

For more information about Year 2000 issues, visit one of the following web sites:

Year 2000 Web Links   http://www.uwosh.edu/it/links.html

Columbia University Year 2000 Web Page   http://www.ais.columbia.edu/ais/html/year_2000_.html

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