Comments on: Gadget owners beware: Daylight saving time has changed

Smart phones will need a software update to know when to adjust to DST, but TiVo owners needn't worry about missing an episode of 24.

[punterjoe]

DST less relevant every year?

Over time more U.S. appliances are pulling time from outside sources - "Atomic" clocks that pull the NIST time signal from Ft Collins CO, video devices that grab time embedded in the local PBS signal, PCs that access time servers & mobile phones that get network time. Except for net admins, time adjustments are pretty much handled for average consumers - unless they're using antiques. In that case they'll just twist the hour-hand to the right position as they always did :D
A nuisance? meh.
A looming problem? Highly unlikely.

[zboot]

not really

unfortunately, my laptop is not an "appliance" that gets its time updated by atomic clocks. Neither do many computer applications whose operation depends on accurate time. I suppose for a person whose electronic devices are limited to a fridge, toaster, and VCR clock, yes, this will not be an issue.

[MoussePad]

DST may be more relevant...

Yep, you're right about the fact that devices can get the correct time from atomic clocks or other sources. But these references give universal time (GMT). So if your device dosen't know about the new dates for Daylight, then you're screwed... :)

[rleeson]

It figures....

Congress is forever doing meaningless things to make themselves and the fools that think they are looking out for the good of the country think they actually do something useful... regardless of the havoc it recks... One of the top ten lies of all time... "We are here from the government to help you..."

[mrjam32]

Wake up and smell the coffee

For those of you who can't think beyond your own thermostat, changing DST does affect overall energy consumption across America. Stuff like this does make an impact -- albeit a small one. It's not like Congress didn't give you ample warning. Everybody wants to blame Congress for their own shortsightedness. 2005. Think about it...

[argentsoftware]

DST

Argent Software offers a free test utility and informational website to help ensure your computers are ready for DST. Visit http://DST.Argent.com

[maceyr]

DST changes

You can manually do it yourself for a Palm device. Check out my posting here:

http://palmdiscovery.netfirms.com/nfblog/index.php?p=382

I've also included a link to change it for Windows including the Win 9x.

[Dachi]

DST costs me money and energy

My thermostat does not know or care what time it is, if the temp in my place drops under X, it comes on.

The lights in my home are another story entirely. I have no trouble getting ready in the morning with only a few lights on, even if it is dark outside.

Now, when I get home from work and it is already dark at the crack of 4:30 PM thanks to daylight savings, guess what? Just about every light in my home gets turned on becasue it is dark IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY.

Many people are not even awake when it gets light out at 7 AM in the middle of winter, however I have never met ANYONE who is in bed every night before 4:30 or 5:00 PM!

So where are they getting this huge cost savings by having it get light out at 7 AM instead of 8 AM that makes it worth turning on every single light bulb starting at about 4:30 - 5:00 PM?

[Guido Muldoon]

You have it backwards Dachi

What will happen is you will set your clock 1 hour AHEAD of the current time so that 4pm becomes 5pm. If the sun set the day before at 5:30pm then it will set at 6:30pm on the day you change your clock giving you an EXTRA hour of daylight in the evening.

You lose daylight in the MORNING. Instead of sunrise at, for example 6:15am it would occur at 7:15am after the time change.

[RoutinelyCalled]

Time for a new thermostat?

Most thermostats from the last 10+ years can turn the heat or a/c off or on at programmed times throughout the day, so all I need to do is change the clock on it. Presto, all done! The heat comes on at the new 7:00am DST when I get up, not the old 7:00am PST.

[o2mcgovem-20822100750713932708]

It's not that bad.

So, you'll have to adjust the time on a few devices you own, or download an update for them. At least we'll be saving energy.

Global warming is the biggest issue facing the modern world. Just ask Al Gore. He'll tell 'ya.