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Raw Bytes Computer News KPBX FM 91.1 Radio National Public Radio Network Frank Delaney Producer Broadcast on Wednesday Morning 7:35 AM During Morning Edition Support Public Radio ! The Theater Of the Mind |
In computer news this week 02/28/2007 |
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The daylight
savings time problem – There’s another minor time crisis coming up in the computer world - not quite the Y2K problem but still an upcoming concern .... The Small Business Resource Center has reported: “Microsoft is warning customers that the switch to early daylight-saving time this year isn't accounted for in a number of its products, including Windows XP, and that users will need to update their software to avoid potential problems. U.S. daylight-saving time will start on March 11 this year -- three weeks earlier than usual. The change was authorized by the U.S. Energy Policy Act of 2005, but Microsoft says its Y2K-like implications mean computer users need to parry like its 1999. "Unless certain update are applied to your computer, it is possible that the time zone settings for your computer's system clock may be incorrect during this four-week period," That could lead to all kinds of problems, from calendaring applications not working properly to key, automated processes not taking place on time. Microsoft said the fix is already built into Windows Vista and Office 2007, but that earlier operating systems and applications could be hit by the problem. As of Tuesday, the company had released an update for Windows XP SP2 users via its Automatic Updates service. Users need to ensure they have Auto Update enabled. Most of Microsoft's other major products, including Outlook 2007 and its predecessors, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Visual Studio, Windows CE, and a number of others, need to be updated, meaning some long nights may be in store for IT staffers leading up to the time switch. Microsoft also warned that the problem isn't limited to its software. Consumer appliances such as VCRs and digital radios may not automatically adjust to the early start of daylight-saving time. Many systems on the business technology side also could be affected. IBM, for instance, has issued updates for some of its disk storage products and other systems. Microsoft has
issued this official warning: “Beginning in 2007, daylight saving time (DST) will be extended in the United States. DST will start on March 11, 2007, which is three weeks earlier than usual, and it will end on November 4, 2007, which is one week later than usual. This results in a new DST period that is four weeks longer than in previous years. Unless certain updates are applied to your computer, the time zone settings for your computer's system clock may be incorrect during this four-week period. In particular, you must make sure that both your Windows operating system and your calendar programs are updated.” And Microsoft has created an official help page to assist you in determining if your computer needs to have its software updated, and how to do it So I didn’t really worry about the big Y2K scare when it happened ... ok I filled up a milk jug with water bought some extra beer and chips in case I had to go into survival mode. What scares me most about the Daylight Savings Time issue isn’t anything on my computer – It’s what if my coffee isn’t ready in the morning , or if I miss a favorite tv show ... A link to the Microsoft official help page mentioned in this transcript is on my Raw Bytes Website. For Raw Bytes This is Frank Delaney (C) 2007 MTA Micro
Technology Associates http://www.mtamicro.com/kpbx.html PO Box 31522 Spokane, Wa 99223-1522 (509)624-7230 |
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