Daylight Saving Protocol

What we need is a new RFP. Either an extension to the Network Time Protocol or a completely new one. It would consist of a bunch of Day Light Saving Servers. Or maybe better know as Time Zone Offset servers. It would consists of the following simple messages:

  1. A request to the current time zone offset from a client that includes the time zone information of the client with a response of the current offset. A client might do this at startup and maybe at a periodic or random time.
  2. A request for the time zone offset at a specific time, either in the future or in the past. The Server would respond with the offset at that particular point of time.
  3. A request for the time zone offset over a time period range, either specified as [from time  -to time] or as years from now. This is so the client can schedule the daylight savings changes into applications such as calendars and system time changes. The response will be a list starting with the time zone offset at the start of the time period and then a series of adjustments as might be made over time caused by day light savings changes. The offset will be: Time at which the change is made and the amount of the change from the previous value.
  4. A requestto learn the current time zone of a client. The client shall send a packet with the client’s location, as a long-lat or as an official place name. The Server will respond with the correct time zone for that location.

The servers would distribute the time zone information in a similar manner to the current DNS system. Each country would be responsible for the correct information for their own country. This would automatically be distributed to the other servers as it is required.

The time information will be specified in the Standard: ISO 8601.

FB comments:

Chris Trathen Maybe its better if we just go to Metric Time.Yesterday at 07:32 · Like

Brian Yap the metric time systems is actually a million times better than the one we have, but it would not resolve the issue of daylight savings.Yesterday at 07:45 · Like

Oliver Townshend The issue of daylight savings is easily resolved – ditch it.Yesterday at 08:35 · Like

Chris Trathen yes, it would save curtains in Queensland fading with the extra sunlight.Yesterday at 08:36 · Like

Brian Yap Yep, but that won’t happen until you become the dictatorial ruler of the world and in the mean time we need a bette way of distributing updates for the time changes. Operating systems updates are a stupid idea and the network time protocol already exists.Yesterday at 08:36 · Like

Oliver Townshend Operating System updates are a very stupid way.Yesterday at 08:39 · Like

Oliver Townshend I hate the first and last months of Daylight Savings.Yesterday at 08:45 · Like

David Symonds Err… but what would happen to the overtime I get paid for manually double checking that the time has actually changed on the servers at work?Yesterday at 08:59 · Like

Brian Yap David, Thanks, now we have a good business case. Of corse you would get to spend more valuable time with your family. 16 hours ago · Like

Brian Yap Oliver, you need to be seeing a psychologist rather than randomly ranting your frustration on my wall. 16 hours ago · Like

Brian Yap Oliver, how long have you been suffering this cronophobia? Does it only affect you with daylight savings, or are you also effected when you travel to other time zones? Are you feelings of anger strong or only medium?

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