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Digital Communities
Industry Members
Springing Forward Creates Big Issue for Information Technologies
February 12, 2007 By Gina M. Scott
The problem is that programs like Microsoft Outlook are programmed to make the time switch on the traditional April and October dates. So when the changes are made according to the new DST schedule, programs that depend on a computer's internal clock-calendaring and scheduling applications, for example-won't align with real time.
In addition, many calendaring applications don't simply use the computer clock; they often set their own time flags to facilitate scheduling in multiple time zones. Simply adjusting the computer clock will cause an appointment that was coded for Eastern Standard Time to show up one hour off after the computer clock is updated with the new DST schedule.
If only the computer clock is updated and not the corresponding calendar items, appointments in the changed DST window for this year and future years are all impacted by one hour.
There could also be complications in applications that use time stamped data. Patches should be applied to applications or application environments to make sure that they will correctly handle the new daylight saving time rules.
The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) released recommendations for dealing with this issue:
- Identify all time dependent applications.
- Update and apply all appropriate patches to applicable systems after appropriate testing.
- Ensure that your users are aware of the change and pay particular attention to calendar entries during the new daylight saving time periods.
- Validate that all critical systems have the correct time after each rotation of DST to mitigate any possible issues on those hosts.
The DST issue goes beyond desktop computer systems and extends to things like mobile phones, security systems, and environmental controls. Modern buildings use computerized heating and cooling and access control that are often programmed around typical working hours, for example to unlock entrances, turn on lighting, or adjust heating. Another example might be sophisticated logistics systems that track just-in-time manufacturing processes into a state where parts deliveries may no longer align with workers' scheduled shifts.
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Personally speaking, I think the US congress should be concentrating on other legislative issues, rather than DST. This is something that we really have no control over. Seasons have been on a course of their own since the beginning of time. There are more pressing matters that need our immediate attention rather that trying to play the role "CREATOR".
Personally speaking, I think the US congress should be concentrating on other legislative issues, rather than DST. This is something that we really have no control over. Seasons have been on a course of their own since the beginning of time. There are more pressing matters that need our immediate attention rather that trying to play the role "CREATOR".
Personally speaking, I think the US congress should be concentrating on other legislative issues, rather than DST. This is something that we really have no control over. Seasons have been on a course of their own since the beginning of time. There are more pressing matters that need our immediate attention rather that trying to play the role "CREATOR".
I was a kid walking to school in the dark when Carter suspended the end to DST. And today I'd much rather commute to work after sunlight - and have time to go jogging before work too. There is no evidence that this will "save energy" - Congress is solving a problem that didn't exist, while leaving major problems (like H-1b visas that displace U.S. tech workers.) If there is time Congress should revoke this bill and return to the standard dates.
I was a kid walking to school in the dark when Carter suspended the end to DST. And today I'd much rather commute to work after sunlight - and have time to go jogging before work too. There is no evidence that this will "save energy" - Congress is solving a problem that didn't exist, while leaving major problems (like H-1b visas that displace U.S. tech workers.) If there is time Congress should revoke this bill and return to the standard dates.
I was a kid walking to school in the dark when Carter suspended the end to DST. And today I'd much rather commute to work after sunlight - and have time to go jogging before work too. There is no evidence that this will "save energy" - Congress is solving a problem that didn't exist, while leaving major problems (like H-1b visas that displace U.S. tech workers.) If there is time Congress should revoke this bill and return to the standard dates.