Registered: Dec 2001
Location: The barber shop
Posts: 7

Falling Forwards: Daylight Savings

It is time again for my bi-annual amazement that the Palm OS doesn't account for daylight saving time, but my $75 VCR does.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA
Posts: 45

I spent 90% of my 'free' hour this weekend changing all the clocks in the house.

fax machine
playroom clock
playroom tv
kitchen radio
microwave
stove
kitchen clock
coffee maker
living room tv
living room stereo
living room clock
living room phone
bedroom tv
2 bedroom alarm clocks
shower radio clock
1 car, 1 pickup, 1 SUV
4 handspring visors
two wristwatches
three computers (they do themselves, thankfully)

oh, and I forgot to do my pager...I'll do it now...

This is moronic.....twice a year, and I have to dig out manuals because I forgot how to change the car radio clocks...

http://www.standardtime.com/

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 106

quote:

---

Originally posted by Flytopher
I spent 90% of my 'free' hour this weekend changing all the clocks in the house.

---

Registered: Aug 2001
Location:
Posts: 143

TimePAL

I use time PAL which sync's my Prism's time to my PC's time. On my PC, I use Dimension 4 to sync my PC clock to a time server here at work. As a result, my Prism clock was updated and stays accurate.

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska- the Good life
Posts: 695

Ok, now... can someone explain the 'value' in Daylight Savings Time to me again?

I know in the 70's it was touted as a big energy saver- but I don't recall ever seeing any real facts or figues on this claim.

It seems to me that the added awkwardness it injects twice a year is just plain not worth it unless there is a substantial reason I have not heard or have forgotten about.

Oh-= and a quick trivia question- how many of your buddies know whether this is 'regular time' or 'Daylight Savings Time' now! Since most of our PDAs told us that "DST Ends Today" last Sunday, I am sure WE know- but how about them?

__________________
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are at!

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA
Posts: 45

The benefit of daylight saving time focuses on reduced energy use. After exhaustive research, I came across a group that ADVOCATES daylight savings time; it's the California Energy Commission, and their position on DST can be found here:

http://www.energy.ca.gov/daylightsaving.html

They quote a US DOT study from the 70's that indicates DST saves energy and reduced traffic accidents and reduces crime, but even they admit the study is outdated and further research would be beneficial.

One quote I find curious: Since 25 percent of our electric usage powers small appliances and lights, then we're saving some of that 25 percent by being outdoors later in the evening. True, until you ask about the other 75 percent. That, my friends, belongs to heating and air conditioning. During DST, (the summer), that's air conditioning. Since it's HOTTER later into the day, we have to use the AC later in the day, which I'm sure wipes out the savings on the light bulbs.

That, coupled with the exponential increase in the number of timepieces we need to adjust twice a year, I think is a compelling argument to scrap Daylight Savings Time.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: USA
Posts: 75

Well, couldn't we set the clocks back an hour and just leave them there?

I used to be a computer operator in a large mainframe shop, and we had to IPL the systems in conjunction with clock changes. That was a major disruption and involved added expense. While I doubt they still have to IPL the new mainframes for that, there must be other costs to businesses. They probably outweigh the energy savings by a long shot...

Registered: Aug 2001
Location: Illinois - not Chicago
Posts: 45

I thought the reason it was still around was so the kids could have more light in the morning. Walking to school, waiting for the bus, etc. Kind of a safety thing.

__________________
- Don -
"Are you suggesting that coconuts migrate?"

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA
Posts: 45

quote:

---

Originally posted by chesswrangler
I thought the reason it was still around was so the kids could have more light in the morning. Walking to school, waiting for the bus, etc. Kind of a safety thing.

---

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska- the Good life
Posts: 695

quote:

---

Originally posted by chesswrangler
I thought the reason it was still around was so the kids could have more light in the morning. Walking to school, waiting for the bus, etc. Kind of a safety thing.

---

__________________
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are at!

Registered: May 2001
Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Posts: 90

quote:

---

Originally posted by chesswrangler
I thought the reason it was still around was so the kids could have more light in the morning. Walking to school, waiting for the bus, etc. Kind of a safety thing.

---

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

quote:

---

Originally posted by Uncle Roger
In the late 70's or early 80's, an experiment was done, (in california at least) letting DST continue through the winter. (There was no "fall back".) The reason they went back to non-DST the next year was because of concerns of going to school/work in the dark.

---

They did that here in Connecticut, too... around '72 or '73. I remember walking to school in total darkness. Come to think of it, I still spend a lot of time in the dark! I wonder if there's a connection?

__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 118

Throw on DateTime+ and never adjust for DST again:
http://www.bitwareoz.com/datetime.htm