Wonderful! Instead of at the "count the dits and dahs" speed, it will be 13-18 WPM character speed, using the Farnsworth method. It will require either copying 25 consecutive characters without error, or filling in the blanks in a prewritten test, with the proper word. This is at least a tiny return to some sort of sanity, as it requires actually learning the code, instead of guessing it. The new rules, as I understand it, can start anytime after July 1, 2000, and that is up to the VEC, but it MUST be in effect sometime in 2001, possibly no later than July 1, 2001.
This is not retroactive, so all those who have passed the "test" under the rules between April 15, 2000, and now, will not be required to demonstrate an improved version of having learned the code.
73
Ed