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Quick Links - added 3/17/2007

  1. Windows (apply in order)
    1. Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 Daylight Saving Time Fix
      or Windows 98/ME Daylight Saving Time Fix (Windows 95 and older are out of luck)
    2. Outlook 2000-2003 timezone mover utility (be sure to click the Details button when running the utility)
  2. Macintosh (apply in order)
    1. Mac OS X 10.4.x: Use Software Update. 10.4.5 and later are patched. Apple's DST updater for Tiger is also recommended (requires 10.4.8 or later).
      or Mac OS X 10.3.x: Use Software Update to get 10.3.9 and apply Apple's DST updater for Panther (requires 10.3.9).
      or Unofficial Mac OS X 10.0-10.3.9 patch (you can also use Apple's above DST patch if you have 10.3.9)
    2. Entourage 2004: Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac 11.3.4 Update (as of 3/17/07)
      or Entourage X: Unofficial Workaround

Original Article
Daylight Saving Time Wrap-Up

March 10, 2007 -- If you haven't already updated your system(s) to obey the new Daylight Saving Time rules, then it is still better to do it late than never. Assuming that your computer has the "automatically adjust for daylight saving time" option set, which most have on by default, your clock will be off every second Sunday of March (the new "spring forward" day, at 2AM), every first Sunday of April (when we used to "spring forward"), every last Sunday of October (when we used to "fall back") and every first Sunday of November (the new "fall back" day, at 2AM) until you update it. If you never set your clock, then it will be an hour off for four weeks out of the year. This may seem trivial, but it causes problems, especially with scheduling programs like Microsoft Outlook. Fortunately, the daylight saving time update is included with Microsoft's Windows Update and Apple's Software Update systems. Unfortunately, a lot of people never use these updating systems.

I've spent the better part of the last three days dealing with daylight saving time issues stemming from the changes in the dates when we "spring forward" and "fall back." Apple only provides a DST fix for OS X 10.3.9, 10.4.5 and later, and Microsoft only provides fixes for Windows XP and later (there is a cumbersome fix for Windows 2000, but the solutions below are far easier to implement). Lately I've come across sites that provides utilities to patch older computers.

The following site provides a tool that patches any OS X computer under 10.3.9 (newer versions should still use Apple's fix, available through Software Update):
University of New Hampshire CIS DST Software Fix Page.

Here are some free patches for Windows:
Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 Daylight Saving Time Fix (does not conflict with the patch issued by Microsoft, so it can be used for Windows XP machines safely. I actually think it's better/easier for XP than the one Microsoft provides.)
Windows 98/ME Daylight Saving Time Fix (Windows 95 and older are out of luck).
See here for more information on these Windows patches.

Also pay close attention to Outlook calendars. First apply the system patches listed above, then check Outlook calendars between March 11, 2007, and April 1, 2007, as well as between October 28, 2007, and November 4, 2007. If you see inconsistencies during these time periods, then apply the Outlook patch here. I did see one instance where calendars were incorrect after the Outlook patch was applied. I suspect that Microsoft's patch simply moves appointment times, so only apply the patch if it looks like the times during the date ranges listed above are off by an hour. For more information on Outlook issues, refer to this article, bearing in mind my note above that advises you to not apply the patch unless you see problems. I just found this obscure article that confirms my observation - see section titled "Scenario 1: Rebase single-instance items after DST 2007 updates are applied to an operating system."

Please ensure that all computers get patched for the Daylight Saving Time changes. Here is a great summary/explanation. Computers running Mac OS ≤ 9 or Windows ≤ 95 should simply disable the "automatically adjust time for daylight saving time " option in the date and time settings, then manually set the clocks twice per year. I do not know if enabling network time server synchronization in OS 9 will take care of DST, but it's worth trying. Let me know if you have any additional advice.

Thanks,

Kevin

p.s. Let's not forget about our smartphones and other computerized gadgets.
p.p.s. 3/17/07: Entourage X (Mac) has an unofficial patch here. Entourage 2004 is fixed with Office for Mac Update 11.3.3 or later, available via Microsoft AutoUpdate or found here.

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(415) 595-3695


Last updated on the seventeenth of March, 2007.
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