It is almost that time again, one of the sure fire signs that spring is right around the corner. Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 2 AM. This signifies 
not only that the summer vacation season is not far away, but also that you have a little more time after work to do something outdoors while there is still daylight. It is by far my favorite time of year. The majority of the world’s countries do not use DST but the United States and Canada both observe the tradition.
The observance of DST has been both praised and often criticized by people over the years. It allows for evening sporting events to be help during the daylight hours, it allows us to use less lighting during peak hours which can save electricity and it allows you to do yard work in the evening.
The New Zealand entomologist George Vernon Hudson first set up modern DST in 1895. It allowed him to enjoy his hobby of collecting insects in the evening after he got off of work. In the pre war days, DST was observed by a good part of the world but has since been abandoned by many countries except the United States and Canada.
In addition to all the benefits there are also some disadvantages. Many of the disadvantages have to do with the electronic world. For example, every time a change is made to the configuration of DST, new programs have to be written for computers and other electronic devices so that they will automatically change their internal time clocks on the correct day.
If you are an XP user and if the government makes any changes to the Daylight Savings Time dates over the next few years, you will have to manually change your computer time on the designated day. This is because Microsoft will not issue an update for XP should any changes occur. Even with no changes being made, it is important to check your devices on Sunday morning to be sure that they have changed as expected. Having the correct date and time is important so that you can correctly connect to websites and secure sites without getting security errors.
Some larger companies may use large servers or other computer controlled equipment where having precise time is extremely important to be sure the systems keep working as expected. Companies such as this have to carefully check their equipment twice a year when DST begins and ends.
Back in the days of the energy crisis in the 70’s, it was once suggested that DST be left going year round. In fact, it was tested one year but because it was so dark in the mornings, it was disrupting kids going to get their school busses in the morning because it stayed dark so long. It was abandoned and never tried again since.
The bottom line is to not just assume your computer or other device will automatically change, but to check it manually to be sure that it has changed to the correct time this Sunday morning.
Posted by ,Ross Deprey Owner of Computer Geeks Online
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