On 20.04.2014 14:00, questions-requ...@lists.ntp.org digested: > From: David Taylor <david-tay...@blueyonder.co.uk.invalid> > > It would be helpful if the operating systems were to agree on how to use > the BIOS clock.
Well, if I understand the statements about Win correctly, they *do* now, at least in their current versions. > Not every computer travels during the year Traveling computer with a localtime RTC: Problem. Multi-boot computer with RTC using a localtime with DST: Problem. Computer produced abroad having its RTC set to localtime there: May prove a problem. (Very real support cases over here. We're now seriously pondering to have the firmware-generated CAs *lie* and make certs' validity start a day or more *before* what the appliances consider "now" at the moment the request button's pressed.) Computer with UTC RTC: ... um. Problem? See below ... > and not every location has summer-time transitions. Actually the *majority* of places on this planet do *not* use DST *now*: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time (Unless you want to split hairs and call Russia "using DST, only all year 'round", I suppose.) Doesn't matter, either. Errors are minimized by taking an approach that is 100% *technically* consistent and feasible, and basing computer systems' "core" time on a global, continuous, non-overlapping notion of time (*) *independently* of whether the local legislator sees the same light is just that. (*) The issue of leap seconds notwithstanding. > Most users would likely be very confused were they to see the BIOS clock > time in UTC! Any user feeling a need to "correct" the RTC to his local time would also immediately agree (but hopefully not *remember*) that he should check back when DST switching occurs, and effect that himself if it doesn't occur automagically (which it won't while he's in the BIOS monitor). Please elaborate on how you want an RTC-is-localtime OS to successfully counteract *that* act of sabotage. Teaching users that things like a "world time" exist may prove easier IMHO. (Might be a suggestion to have such a hint added to the BIOS tools, though.) Regards, J. Bern -- *NEU* - NEC IT-Infrastruktur-Produkte im <http://www.linworks-shop.de/>: Server--Storage--Virtualisierung--Management SW--Passion for Performance Jochen Bern, Systemingenieur --- LINworks GmbH <http://www.LINworks.de/> Postfach 100121, 64201 Darmstadt | Robert-Koch-Str. 9, 64331 Weiterstadt PGP (1024D/4096g) FP = D18B 41B1 16C0 11BA 7F8C DCF7 E1D5 FAF4 444E 1C27 Tel. +49 6151 9067-231, Zentr. -0, Fax -299 - Amtsg. Darmstadt HRB 85202 Unternehmenssitz Weiterstadt, Geschäftsführer Metin Dogan, Oliver Michel _______________________________________________ questions mailing list questions@lists.ntp.org http://lists.ntp.org/listinfo/questions
