Y2K+7: Daylight savings time sprung on U.S. early

William Atkins
Monday, 05 March 2007 20:07

Science - Health

DST is the process of adjusting clocks (time) so that evenings contain more daylight and mornings less daylight. Normally, clocks are moved forward (“spring forward”) in late winter or early spring and are moved back (“fall back”) in late autumn or early winter. Many countries around the world observe different forms of DST. Most countries near the equator, however, do not change their clocks because periods of day and night do not vary as much is in more northern nations.

The dates for DST in the United States change this year. The U.S. Energy Policy Act of 2005 added four weeks to DST beginning in 2007 (Y2K+7). The start of DST now begins three weeks early—on the second Sunday in March (March 11)—and ends one week later—on the first Sunday in November (November 4). The old range was the first Sunday in April (April 1) to the last Sunday in October (October 28). The U.S. federal government expects the new DST will reduce the demand for electricity, and save U.S. consumers and businesses about 300,000 barrels of oil each year.

However, computers, digital clocks, digital watches, VCRs and DVDs, digital organizers, and other devices with internal clocks—bought before 2005—are programmed to change DST for an April 1 change, not a March 11 change. Businesses are scrambling to change their computers and electronic devices so their internal clocks will “spring forward” one hour at the new date, rather than the later old date. Disruption to public and private services could be felt if medical facilities, government buildings, communications organizations, and other necessary sectors servicing the health and safety of U.S. citizens do not correctly make the DST change.

If is reported that most such businesses and organizations have applied the necessary computer software patch to their computers and electronic devices. Representatives at Microsoft report that the company has sent out a daylight-saving patch to personal computers running Windows. Officials with Apple Computers have also issued an update patch. However, both companies advise their customers to check their computers to make sure they have acknowledged the early date for daylight savings time.

However, we won’t know for sure about the outcome until the stroke of midnight at the start of Sunday, March 11, 2007. This possible disruption in 2007 isn’t as serious as the perceived Y2K (2000) Bug, but it might cause confusion and general anxiety to businesses and people in the United States.

A history of daylight savings time can be found at: http://webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/.