[Info-vax] bizarre problem with system time (not DST)

[Stephen Hoffman]

On 2015-03-29 16:31:17 +0000, David Froble said:

> Stephen Hoffman wrote:
>> On 2015-03-29 03:48:41 +0000, David Froble said:
>> 
>> Microsoft Windows has the same issues with its use of local time as its 
>> time base, as does OpenVMS.  Unix uses UTC as its time base, and got 
>> this design right.  OpenVMS and Windows did not.
> 
> Different topic.  I was discussing how to modify the DST start and end dates.

Not all that different.  Using localtime makes this timezone stuff that 
much uglier, as your base time shifts, rather than your displayed time.

> 
>>> MicroSoft has a program, Windows Time Zone Editor, that allows you to 
>>> specify the current DST start and end.  Much better than having to 
>>> apply a patch.
>> 
>> OpenVMS has that, too.  <http://labs.hoffmanlabs.com/node/148>
> 
> That just makes my point.

OpenVMS has been command-line managed for aeons.  From experience with 
other platforms, that is problematic for some tasks.   CLI is useful 
for scripting and for advanced work, but a CLI or a text-based 
interface or a configuration file interface is not nearly as useful for 
the occasional user or the new user.

> Lots of hoops to jump through, and I found no documentation on ZIC.

<http://h71000.www7.hp.com/doc/73final/6494/6494pro_006.html#zic_comm>

> The weendoze utility allows you to just specify:
> 
> "First Sunday in March"  and "2:00 AM"
> "First Sunday in November" and "2:00 AM"
> 
> Or whatever the date and time is.

OS X has you click on your location on a map, highlights the timezone 
and lets you select a local city, asks you if you get to endure DST, 
and whether you want 24 hour time displayed, and then figures out the 
rest for you.  Or OS X can be told to and can usually figure out where 
you are automatically (based on Wi-Fi network location), and can then 
set your timezone without assistance.    Simple point and click, in 
either case.


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