Similar to the Y2K problem, the Year 2038 problem will affect computers and computer systems that have something to do with a Unix-like operating system.  Unix "time" began on January 1, 1970 (called the Unix Epoch) and is represented by a 32-bit signed (±) integer.  The latest time this integer can represent (determined by the largest number that can be represented by 32 bits) is January 19, 2038, at which point time will stop and the universe will melt.  Actually, it'll probably have about the same impact as the Y2K problem, except that we have over 30 years to prepare for it.  The problem can be relatively easily solved by using a 64-bit integer to represent time, which will give us about 290 billion years to prepare for its demise.  The problem with that is that there are quite a few 32-bit systems out there right now, and there aren't very many 64-bit ones.  I'm sure things will all work out when the time comes. #technology