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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 03/14/2007 |
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Follow up to The
daylight saving time problem
– The timeline for switching to DST passed on Sunday at 2 am. Raise your hand if you stayed up till 2 am to do that – and if so – you need a life ... U.S. daylight-saving time started 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. There’s a confusion in the computer world over Microsoft’s handling of the DST changes – even if your computer is set for automatic updates – you’re really not adjusted for it – if you use certain Microsoft calenderic programs – meaning a program that depends on internal dates and times – of which the biggest one in the world is Microsoft Outlook in all its older versions. If you do use outlook 2003 or older, you might have already missed a couple appointments, as there is a separate program from Microsoft - The Time Zone Data Update Tool - you need to download and run to set Outlook for the new DST. I’ll bet their internal acronym is Tizdut ..... 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. And the most prevalent operating system in the PC world now is Windows XP, as Vista appears to be a dud out of the blocks. As of last 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. 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. I did have to reset my digital watch and older vcr, and my phones. 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 ... What I’ve found most interesting in the past week is all the arguing over whether the new DST is actually going to save energy and save money. One article I read said that the industry that expects to benefit most from the new time change – is – get this – the Golf industry ! More afternoon light – more people out on the course in those powered golf carts, supposedly getting exercise. Then there’s the psychological issues like I read in the paper – how the new DST is creating havoc with folks who have Seasonal Affective Disorder – and how the time change DST and SAD adversely affects them. These folks need light therapy in March and April, and these two months are the worst for SAD symptoms. The new DST seems to go against them. 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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