The Energy Policy Act of 2005 goes into effect this year. It extends Daylight Saving Time (DST) by four weeks. For years, DST has begun on the first Sunday of April and ended on the last Sunday in October. This year onwards, it will begin on the second Sunday in March and end on the first Sunday in November.
Most people take DST changes in their stride. They just wake the kids up for school an hour earlier or later, adjust their wrist-watches by an hour if it doesn’t happen automatically, and ask the kids to change the time on the VCR because they can’t do it themselves. In the worst case, they show up for work an hour earlier or an hour later. Many of the gadgets we use have DST adjustments built-in. Most digital watches and clocks automatically adjust time for DST. So do newer VCRs and microwave ovens. And of course, so do computers.
And that, precisely, is the problem in the light of the new changes to DST. Unless there is a way to change that logic, these devices will still operate on the old DST schedule. I don’t know how easy it is to fix the DST logic in VCRs and microwaves but, fortunately, it is very easy to fix in computer software programs. All you need to do is apply a patch.
DST patches for all kinds of software have got a lot of press lately. Reports about problems with patches abound. So do Y2K style doomsday predictions. IT departments of large companies indeed have their hands full. As a small-business owner, you may be wondering what you may need to do to get out of this mess. The short answer can be nothing, not much, or a lot depending on the software you are using. So here is a concise guide to DST patches for your software, if you are still in the dark (sic).
Windows Vista
If your computer is running Windows Vista you don’t have to lift a finger. The new DST logic is built into the software.
Windows XP with SP2
If your computer is running Windows XP SP2, check your Automatic Updates setting by opening the Automatic Updates applet in control panel. If updates are on the Automatic setting, you don’t have to do anything either. Sometime before March 11, patches will be applied to your computer automatically. If updates are not set to be Automatic, you can either turn the setting on before March 11. If you don’t want to turn on Automatic Updates, go to Windows Update (http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us) and update manually.
Windows XP with SP1 / Windows XP without any SP
If your computer is running a Windows XP version prior to SP2, you MUST install SP2 to be able to apply the patches. First install SP2 and then follow instructions in Windows XP with SP2 above. If you don’t want to apply SP2, follow instruction in Older Operating Systems below.
Older Operating Systems
If your computer is running Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows ME or anything before that, you are out of touch with times by a few years. Therefore, an adjustment of one hour should scarcely make a difference for you! But, seriously, if you are using any of these operating systems, you are basically out of luck. Microsoft does not plan to release a DST patch for your operating system. You must make adjustments manually. To do so:
1. Go to Control Panel and open the Date and Time applet.
2. Uncheck "Automatically adjust clock for daylight saving changes.
3. On every second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November every year, adjust the time manually.
Microsoft Office
If you use Office 2007, you don’t have to worry; it comes with the new DST logic build-in. If you use Office 2003, Microsoft Office 2002, or Microsoft Office 2000, you should be covered if you have applied updates automatically or manually. Just make sure that you have applied ALL patches and not just the critical ones. If you are paranoid, you can apply the Office patches yourself by downloading them at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=e343a233-b9c8-4652-9dd8-ae0f1af62568&DisplayLang=en
If you use a version of Office before Office 2000, you are basically on your own.
Microsoft Outlook Express
If you use Outlook Express, the necessary patches will be applied together with Windows patches via Automatic Updates.
BlackBerry
If you use a BlackBerry, you go to http://www.blackberry.com/DST2007/patch/index2.shtml and follow the instructions there to update your device.
Pocket PC / Windows Mobile / Smartphone
If you use a Pocket PC, go to http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/daylightsaving/default.mspx and follow the instructions there to update your device.
Other Operating Systems
Check with the vendor.
Other Calendaring or Time-Management Applications
Ditto.
In addition, check your computer and applications on March 11, April 1, October 28, and November 3 of 2007 — the old and new DST change dates – to make sure that the patches have been applied correctly. And don’t forget to adjust your watch before you check the time on your computers!
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