According to CNN, the Internet runs out of IPv4 addresses in a mere 18 months from now. Unfortunately, a lot of software is coded for the IPv4 standard, not IPv6. I predict a Y2K-like crisis until this is resolved.

CNN Report is here: http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/05/27/internet.crunch.2012/index.html?hpt=T2

In fact, at a previous company I used to work for, I recall software I wrote that was tuned for IPv4 because at the time I had no idea that IPv4 would run out so fast. After a layoff, I warned the boss, but he likely ignored me. Oh well, their loss. I imagine with all the tech layoffs going on, this is going to be quite common.

Meanwhile, this is not the booming economy of the early and mid 90s, so a lot of companies won't be able to afford to make the changes like they could during Y2K -- making the crisis for IPv6 even more lengthy.

I would like to recommend each and every developer to start reading up on IPv6 as soon as possible. The world needs to sound the warning bell and get everything tested and cutover to IPv6 before we have major systems malfunctioning.

Imagine what would happen to the world's financial markets, in a tough time like we have today, when the systems we rely upon start failing because they need IPv6.

I also predict that pretty soon, you'll start to see a massive hiring cycle for IT workers as they are brought back into the workplace to convert and test everything for IPv6.

(Might also be a good time to buy gold?)