I too was a developer in the 90s. the original intent with DEC was retire the system(s) that were not y2k complaint, and move to new software on Alpha/WinNT systems. I was even flow to the US (from Au) for training in the whole shebang in 97. Well, having experience with previous efforts to replace ‘my’ systems, I and my team started to Y2K-ise the software (some dating back to the 60s).somehow, the big-wigs in Stow, Ma. heard about it, and sent a memo stating that anyone making unuathorised y2k changes to any software would be disciplined (i.e. sacked). we did it anyway, just less late jan 98 compaq bought dec (how‽‽‽) and in feb we were told that the ‘replacement projects’ were all to be stopped (quelle surprise). in april we were told we needed to get cracking on y2k’ing our systems, and by june we had it all done and dusted and tested and ready to roll. why? because we ignored the nitwits in Ma. and kept working on the process despite their software was still working for nearly a decade after hp bought , I was working for another company the night of y2k – and I did have one failure. the zipper on my trousers broke – the zipper brand? “ykk”. I laughed.
OpenVMS will hit a problem sometime mid-31,086 ;)