2007 Daylight Savings Changes and Computing

As the federally mandated change in the Daylight Savings Time dates begins this year, many computers and other devices using internal clocks will require software patches or manual adjusting.

Microsoft, Apple, and other software vendors have recently released patches that will update to the new DST schedule, however users should verify ahead of time that these patches have indeed been installed and check other programs that rely on scheduling to insure a smooth transition.

If your computer's operating system and programs are not set to check for updates automatically, you can visit Columbia's Operating Systems Updates web site for instructions. Please note that department-owned computers managed by technical staff may not be able to follow all of the instructions on this site due to permissions set on the computer.

 The Energy Policy Act of 2005 created a new schedule for DST that begins this year:

• Clocks must be set ahead by an hour starting on the second Sunday of March, rather than the first Sunday of April.
• Clocks must move back an hour on the first Sunday of November, rather than the last Sunday of October.

Note: Microsoft advises all that XP users upgrade to Service Pack 2 at this point. To verify, please right-click on the My Computer icon, then select Properties with a left-click. Make sure the General tab is selected in the System Properties window that appears and verify that Windows XP and Service Pack 2 are listed.

In addition, any XP SP2 systems (work or personal) set to receive Automatic Updates should have received the patch, however users can go to Microsoft’s Daylight Saving Time Help and Support Center to verify:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/cp_dst

This site also provides support for Windows Handheld device users, Outlook and Entourage users, and IT staff managing various Windows based computing resources.  IT staff at CUMC can contact CUMC IT by emailing 5help@columbia.edu or calling extension 5-Help to find out about further assistance.

Microsoft may not release patches for older programs and operating systems, and is recommending manual adjustment during the affected times.  Using the Microsoft DST link above will tell you if your OS or program will require this.
Columbia faculty and staff that need to update Windows 2000 systems are able to use the patch for Windows 2000. A valid faculty or staff UNI and password are required due to licensing.

Windows Vista should not be affected by the Daylight Savings issues.

Apple
Apple released patches for Mac OS versions 10.3 and above in January and February.  To verify that you have received all DST related patches, please run a Software Update by selecting the option from the Apple menu.

Details regarding Apple and Daylight Savings changes can be found at:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305056

Apple is recommending manual Date and Time adjustment for OS versions prior to 10.3. This is done via the System Preferences - Date and Time settings; you must de-check the "Set date & time automatcially" option first. Please note that the time will need to be adjusted again on the first Sunday of November.

Oracle Calendar
CUMC IT performed DST maintenance the Oracle Calendar server on the evening of February 2^nd, 2007.  Oracle did not release a patch to correct appointments made during the affected times, so entries that were created prior to February 3^rd must be manually adjusted by the creator:

• Entries that occur between March 11th and April 1^st 2007 should be adjusted to one hour earlier.
• Entries that occur between October 28th and November 4^th 2007 should be adjusted to one hour later.
• If you created entries for later years, please be sure to change these as well.

  2008	March 9 - April 6 adjust to one hour earlier; October 26 - November 2 adjust to one hour later
  2009	March 8 - April 5 adjust to one hour earlier; October 25 - November 1 adjust to one hour later
  2010	March 14 - April 4 adjust to one hour earlier; October 31 - November 7 adjust to one hour later

All current users of Oracle Calendar at CUMC were notified by email on February 1^st. 

Outlook
Microsoft has posted an Outlook Time Zone Update tool that will assist anyone needing to adjust Outlook for Daylight Savings or when moving to another time zone. Using the Microsoft Daylight Saving Time Help and Support Center will also check for any adjustments required for Outlook.

Palm - Pocket PC users should visit the Windows link above.
Treo 700 models have a known DST bug, please see Palm’s support site for resolution options:
http://www.palm.com/us/support/
and search for "DST" or article "42093".

Most other Palm devices set to Network Time will not experience any problems. You can verify this by going to Preferences – General – Date and Time.

If your device do not use network time (recommended for those scheduling appointments while traveling in different time zones) you must manually adjust the device.  Please visit http://www.palm.com/us/support/ and search for article "2952" for instructions. 

Other Programs and Devices
For other programs and devices that use that use scheduling please visit the software maker’s web site to look for DST instructions, or contact us assistance.