Gadget owners beware: Daylight-saving time has changed

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Dumb smart clocks won't know about the change in dates

Because of frequent short power glitches, our alarm clocks were constantly required resetting. So when we went shopping for battery backup clocks, we came across a clock that "automaticaly sets the time". It is basicaly a real-time clock chip with a battery backup, and only knows how to handle the standard dates for DST. (It does not have an option for turning off the DST updates, requiring a user in Eastern Indiana to change manualy undo the date change.) So now I am left with having to manualy change the date in March to accomodate DST, manualy change in April to undo the "additional" DST correction done by the clock, manualy change in October to keep DST, and manualy change in November to return to DST. I wonder how many people are purchasing these "smart" clocks, only to find out that they aren't so smart anymore.

I shudder to think about various stand-alone clock systems such as those that might be found in schools and various other institutions that do not have any capability to update their DST calendars.

At least for Y2K we had plenty of advance notice. With computers, PDAs and other devices becoming a common tool used by people that don't have a clue on what goes on, or that updates are required, I suspect that there will be many complaints and a number of missed appointments. (I can just see a doctor's office opening an hour late because the office staff had no clue and bill no-shows for the missed appointment because the patient decided to leave and call back later to reschedule.)

Posted by: lelandhamilton@...   Posted on: 02/19/07 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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