University of Missouri

Division of Information Technology

Changes to Daylight Savings Time may affect your computer!

Beginning this year, Daylight Savings Time (DST) will begin on the second Sunday in March, and end on the first Sunday in November. The result is that DST will come early and stay late; March 11 through November 4.

The DST change was mandated by the United States Congress in 2005 as part of the Energy Policy Act (EPAct), which amends the Uniform Time Act of 1966. The purpose of the amendment is increased energy conservation. Within nine months of the effective date, the Department of Energy must study the Act´s impact on energy consumption and report the results to Congress, which retains the right to revert DST to the 2005 time schedule after the energy study is complete.

These changes will affect various date/time components of your computer´s operating system and other time-sensitive programs such as your calendar.

All computer users should take precautions to avoid problems that may occur during the extended DST period. The DST change can cause system clocks to be incorrect by one hour during this period, which can consequently affect calendar appointments and other time-related computer functions.

The University is actively working to update its systems; however, it is important to closely monitor your calendar items, and to confirm start/end times during the extended DST period; March 11 – April 1. It is also good practice to include start times in meeting descriptions (i.e. Staff Meeting – 2 PM) to avoid any confusion which may occur as a result of the DST change.

Windows Users

Step 1: Update your Operating System

• Windows XP and Vista:
  Verify your computer has received the latest updates by visiting the Microsoft Update site.
• Windows 2000, ME, and 98:
  You will need to manually update your computer´s clock on March 11 and April 1.
• Windows Mobile 5.0 and 2003:
  Download and run the Windows Mobile Update for DST.

Step 2: Update Microsoft Outlook (if used)

• Outlook 2007, 2003, XP and 2000:
  After you have updated your computer, you will need to download and run the Time Zone Data Update Tool for Microsoft Outlook. This tool will move previously scheduled reoccurring meetings to the appropriate time.
  As a result of this process:
  • If you were the meeting organizer, attendees will receive a meeting update from your calendar. This will correct the time on their calendars as well as yours.
  • If you were not the meeting organizer, your calendar will not be updated until the organizer´s calendar is updated.
  • One-time meetings scheduled before your operating system was patched will need to be manually updated.
  • Meetings scheduled after your operating system was patched should not be affected.

Additional information on DST and how to prepare your Microsoft products can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/DST2007/.

Macintosh Users

Step 1: Update your Operating System:

• Macintosh 10.4 (Tiger):
  Verify your computer has been updated to version 10.4.8, and if it hasn´t use Software Update to do so.
• Macintosh 10.3 (Panther):
  You will need to manually update your computer´s clock on March 11 and April 1.

Step 2: Update Microsoft Entourage (if used)

• Entourage 2004:
  Download and install the Microsoft Office 2004 11.3.3 update.

BlackBerry Users

Download and install the BlackBerry DST patch.

Palm Users

Download and install the Palm DST patch.

This list of impacted applications is not comprehensive. Linux, Java, Oracle, Solaris and other commercial and open source systems have updates available. Operating system patches are not always sufficient. Vendor supplied applications, as well as custom code that perform time calculations, should be carefully reviewed and updated as needed.

If you have questions or concerns about the DST changes, contact your local Help Desk, or your department´s IT professional.