Re: I dont think ther will be many 32bit linux OSes still running then
Surely any sensible COBOLer would process dates as yyyy mm dd (with a library of supporting routines if necessary)?
Anybody with a clue has been aware of the 32bit time_t problem since shortly after Y2K became an issue (which may well rule out the last decade or so of college leavers?). Sensible code where the issue is relevant has already moved to using a 64bit value for time_t.
You can use 64bit time_t whether or not you're on a 64bit CPU and whether or not you're on a 64bit OS. You can even do it on Windows with Studio: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/1f4c8f33.aspx
Good to raise awareness. Not good to overhype (as seems to be happening).
Have a lot of fun.