Daylight Saving Time '07/Handheld computers
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Background
Section 110 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which was signed into law on August 6, 2005, amends the previous standard for observing the beginning of Daylight Saving Time on the first Sunday of April to the second Sunday of March and the ending of Daylight Saving Time on the last Sunday in October to the first Sunday of November. Effect of change will take place one year after enactment of the law or March 2007, whichever is later.
In simple terms this means that beginning in March 2007, Daylight Saving Time will occur on the 2nd Sunday of the month (3/11/2007) and end on the first Sunday of November (11/4/2007).
Historical Notes of Daylight Saving Time (DST)
- In his article in Journal de Paris (April 26, 1784) the 78 year old Benjamin Franklin wrote the essay An Economical Project in which he extolled the thrift of using natural versus artificial lighting, even calculating the money to be saved from not having to burn excessive candles (possibly spawning the saying "...early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.")
- Additional history of Daylight Saving Time
Recommended sequence for applying DST fixes
Applying DST patches out of sequence can permanently alter existing meetings for a user. Therefore, it is essential that IT Professionals follow guidelines for patching provided by the appropriate vendor.
For LSPs, Windows Administrators, and Exchange Administrators, Microsoft has recommended application of patches in a specific sequence to minimize impact on your user community. More details area available here.
Read this article prior to initiating patching in your area.
Handheld Computers fixes for DST change
The information below is for experienced LSPs only. The cellular carriers have announced that they are waiting for Microsoft and Palm to release patches to address the DST change. We have posted links to the appropriate patches below where available:
Windows Mobile
Microsoft has released a patch for Windows Mobile systems. To reiterate what is said above, and in Microsoft's instructions, be sure to follow all steps, in the order that they are presented.
Windows Mobile Daylight Saving article and patch
THIS PATCH IS NOT PERMANENT
The DST patch for Windows Mobile NOT a permanent patch. If the device is wiped through a hard reset, the patch will need to be re-applied.
Palm OS
Palm Inc. has a web page for issues relating to the new DST rules. There are links to updates for both Palm OS and Windows Mobile based devices. As there are specific instructions and sequences of patching that need to be followed, please be sure to familiarize yourself with the instructions BEFORE starting to patch devices. Be aware that Palm OS and Windows Mobile smartphones can apply the new DST patches OTA (Over the air) without having to be connected to a desktop computer. While the application of this patch does not require the device to go through a hard reset (wipe the device), it is always a good idea to make sure you have a current backup before applying any OS updates.
Palm Daylight Saving Time Update
Palm has a Knowledge Base article on addressing general DST issues, as well as the pros and cons of using network time.
THIS PATCH IS NOT PERMANENT
The DST patch for Palm is NOT a permanent patch. If the device is wiped through a hard reset, the patch will need to be re-applied. We are still waiting to confirm that there will be an OS update for Palm OS based devices to make this update perminant.
Blackberry
The device clocks in the BlackBerry® device will NOT update automatically when the DST date changes this Spring and later this Fall.
Unless patches are applied for impacted BlackBerry software and third party software BlackBerry device clocks will not update to the new time zones when DST dates change. As a result, the BlackBerry device may not display correct time zone information for certain time periods during the year. More specifically, appointments and their reminders may appear one hour late on your BlackBerry device if the appointments start in one of the following windows in any year:
- Between the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in April (for example, March 11, 2007 to April 1, 2007)
- Between the last Sunday in October and the first Sunday in November (for example, October 28, 2007 to November 4, 2007)
RIM has created a website that contains detailed and up-to-date information on the upcoming United States, Canada and Bermuda Daylight Saving time change, and how RIM plans to address any necessary software changes or patches for various platforms.
New information is posted at the below link as it becomes available. Please check the site frequently, and ensure you make the necessary changes to the BlackBerry devices to be ready for the 2007 DST changes.
BlackBerry sequence
An article from BlackBerry Connection e-journal has a list of steps and what order they should be applied in order to make a BlackBerry environment DST compliant:
Carrier Specific Resources
AT&T Wireless and Verizon Wireless have good information on DST based on the device model:
