Xref:	news2.mv.net comp.os.msdos.djgpp:4319
From:	Dave Pearson <davep AT hagbard DOT demon DOT co DOT uk>
Newsgroups:	comp.os.msdos.djgpp
Subject:	Re: What is all this "timezone" stuff for?
Date:	Tue, 28 May 1996 12:26:28 GMT
Organization:	A Private Internet Host
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Sender:	usenet AT hagbard DOT demon DOT co DOT uk
Message-ID:	<slrn4qls7i.p2.davep@hagbard.demon.co.uk>
References:	<Pine DOT SUN DOT 3 DOT 91 DOT 960526085413 DOT 7733E-100000 AT is> <4oehjq$o95 AT hawk DOT le DOT ac DOT uk>
To:	djgpp AT delorie DOT com
DJ-Gateway:	from newsgroup comp.os.msdos.djgpp

Clive Page <cgp AT le DOT ac DOT uk> wrote:

> >These files are POSIX.  Since DJGPP is a POSIX-compliant environment, it
> >works in a POSIX-like way.  I think DJGPP users can be trusted to detect
> >unused files and zip them away and don't need to be fed such wisdom with a
> >teaspoon. 
> 
> This whole discussion has been based on the assumption that an algorithm
> exists that can determine the difference between local time and UTC (GMT
> as was).  I have to say that this simply isn't possible.  The duration of
> Summer Time (as it's called in the Northern hemisphere) varies from place
> to place quite randomly and unpredictably, and changes are at the whim of
> governments, which don't have any sense of needing to conform with
> algorithms or standards.  

That's why you can update such files.

> Recently lots of diaries and calendars in the UK had incorrect
> information about the dates on which clocks changed, because our
> government changed the relevant dates after lots of stuff had
> already been printed. Not surprisingly, lots of Unix and VMS systems
> which relied on supposed predictions of these dates got it wrong,
> and system managers had lots of fun sorting it all out.

But if the files are updated then it's ok, my Linux box coped without
a problem. 

> I think the whole idea of predicting the local-time - UTC difference is
> fatally flawed.  It seems silly for the DJGPP package to even attempt it.
> My respect for the sagacity of those who invented the Posix series of
> standards, already not all that high, has fallen further, now I know that
> they are responsible for clogging my disc with useless junk.

Shall we stop priting time differences in the back of telephone directories
as well?

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