Daylight saving change could confuse gadgets

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Time changes can be very disruptive

The problem with new Daylight Savings Time rules is not that Aunt Millie's email timestamp will be off by an hour... the problem is that enterprises have many, many computers to track.

Any systems that need PRECISE times will absorb this into their current processes... they deal with leap-seconds every six or twelve months. This takes care of critical systems like air traffic control and nuclear power plants and GPS satellites.

The problem is moderately time-critical systems that may or may not be up to the challenge. Imagine a Venezuelan oil tanker that arrives in port an hour earlier than expected. Or a hospital text paging system that sends a page to a doctor who's not really on shift for another hour. Or a traffic light using leisurely mid-afternoon timing during the evening rush.

Many systems that work in minutes and seconds (rather than milliseconds and microseconds) were not designed with timekeeping flexibility in mind. The solution of "just have someone there at 2AM to switch the time" doesn't work for a system with thousands of nodes each keeping their own time.

Posted by: Font   Posted on: 08/09/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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