Re: DST and My Computers

[Art Todesco <actodesco@xxxxxxxxx>]

Robert Green wrote:
> "EdwardATeller" <sorry_no_email@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:1173624555.702764.262350@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Sorry if this has been covered already, but I am looking for a way to
>> deal with this DST issue.  I thought I'd be able to simply synchronize
>> my computer clock with the NIST time servers after the switch over and
>> all would be well.  Today I found out that won't work.  Only one of my
>> 5 computers has an OS that can be patched, so I am left with 4 Windows
>> OS's that will need manual adjustments unless I can figure something
>> out.
>
> I was surprised to find out that I had to manually change my time zone one
> to the right to get Dimension4 to report the correct local time on a Win98
> system.  Out of *all* the devices in my house that keep time, only my
> LaCrosse LED projection clock with a built-in radio to detect time signals
> correctly reports the local time.   My two other automagically setting
> clocks (one Emerson, another WalMart something or other) didn't make the
> jump but they have never been able to receive the time signal correctly
> although the LaCrosse clearly does.
>
> The autosets on my VCR's and DVD recorders didn't change although the cable
> system seems to know the correct time.  Now comes the joy of resetting
> watches, cameras, voice recorders, PCs, car clocks, house clocks, medical
> equipment, etc.  I've begun a database of devices so I can use it as a
> checklist and also store some of the more unusual setting methods ("tap 3
> times then hold then press mode and set together with reset while adjusting
> display and whistling Dixie" sort of nonsense) in one place.  It's a
> nuisance, to be sure, but it's probably a good idea to devote the time to
> resynching clocks, inspecting and replacing batteries, etc.
>
>  I read somewhere that over $2 billion has been spent on patching to
> accommodate the new DST start and end dates.  I wonder how much energy it
> will save?
>
>> Syncing to GMT on the internet, and then running a variable offset
>> that is triggered by the calendar would work nicely.  I suppose I
>> could write a perl script that does this, and then use task scheduler
>> to run it once a day. Maybe I could sync to the patched computer on my
>> network and not have to worry about the extra offset and calendar
>> logic.  Is there a way to remotely sense an XP SP2 computer's system
>> time?
>
> http://www.thinkman.com/dimension4/
>
> Should do what you want to do.  I've been running it for a least 5 years on
> Win98 and it's been invisibly efficient.  Says it works under XP but I can't
> vouch for that.  Also acts as network time server to synch other clocks
> (haven't got that to work for me, though, but I expect it's a firewall and
> protocol issue I am unwillingly to run to ground).
>
> --
> Bobby G.
I heard from someone this morning that
he heard a report of a "study" where it
was determined that savings would not be
anywhere near the original estimates.
They sited, extra driving during the
early evening and more lighting required
in the mornings.  I know for a fact that
this morning, with the clock set at 6:55AM,
I needed lights in the house, where last
Sunday I did not.