Spring Forward Fall Back

It's later than you think. No, wait! It's earlier!

Spring forward. Fall back. If you could never remember which way to turn the clocks before, you're going to be more confused than ever by the changes to Daylight Saving Time that take place this year. IT professionals have a lot of work ahead of them, but for most home computer users, preparing for the early start to DST is easy. But you DO have to prepare!

Why all the fuss?
For years and years North Americans not in Saskatchewan, Arizona, and Hawaii have been moving their clocks ahead by one hour on the first Sunday of April, and then back an hour on the last Sunday of October. But starting this year, Daylight Saving Time will begin on the second Sunday in March, three weeks earlier than the traditional start, and end a week later, on the first Sunday in November.

Computers (including hand held devices like PalmPilots and Blackberries) use rules to remember when to adjust the time. Because the dates will change this year, we have to update the rules. We'll be moving our clocks ahead by one hour here in British Columbia on Sunday, March 11. Sometime (preferably before Saturday, March 10) you need to update your computer. And, you may very well need to update some of the programs on your computer. And, you probably need to update your hand held.

So what do I have to do to fix Windows?
If you have Windows Vista, Windows XP (Pro or Home) with SP2 or SP1, AND you have your automatic updates turned on, you should, according to Microsoft, receive the patch in your automatic updates. However, if you want to check (and I strongly recommend that you do) or you have automatic updates turned off, visit this site and go through the five-step update guide to make sure your computer is squared away.

If you are still running an older version of Windows, including Windows 98 or 98SE, Microsoft does not support that operating system and will not be issuing a patch. You can, however, obtain a free patch here. (Scroll down the page to "Freeware downloads".)

That was pretty easy. What now?
Well, Outlook users (NOT OUTLOOK EXPRESS --- they are not the same thing!) need a patch. If you didn't get it from the support centre link above, and you didn't get it in your automatic updates, you can get it here. Be sure to install the updates for Windows before you install this patch.

PalmPilot users will need to apply a patch. Get it here. If you use a Windows Mobile hand held, check here for patches. Get your Blackberry patches here.

If your browser uses a Java Runtime Environment (and if you're reading this on the web it almost certainly does whether you know it or not) you need to update your JRE software, believe it or not. The easiest way to do this (and trust me --- there are more complicated ways) is to go here and click on the download button. Follow the instructions to install AND verify the installation.

Is that it?
I hope so, but people keep finding more things to update as March 11 draws closer. If you find something, please let me know. Send an email to with the information and we'll try to alert the rest of the readers.

Don't forget to reset the time on your VCR's, the clock over the stove, the one on the coffee maker, and the one in the car. Oh, and please change the batteries in your smoke detector when you change your clocks.

Links
CBC News In Depth: Daylight Time


When does DST start and end?

Microsoft DST Help and Support

Non-Microsoft patches for older operating systems

Outlook Express and Outlook are not the same thing!

Microsoft Time Zone Update Tool for Outlook

Palm OS DST patch

Windows Mobile-based device DST patch

Blackberry DST patches

Update your Java

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This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.