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New home for time zone stuff by 2012?
by Olson, Arthur David (NIH/NCI) [E] Sept. 8, 2009

Sept. 8, 2009

I'll be eligible to start drawing a pension in mid-2012. Since I'm accustomed to slow-moving Quaker process, that makes it time to get serious about finding a new home for time zone stuff. There are several pieces of the puzzle (some of which haven't seen much work of late): Data maintenance Data distribution Code maintenance Code distribution Mailing list maintenance Mailing list hosting Standards work (for example, tweaking POSIX TZ environment variables so Godthab can be represented) Code enhancement (for example, year zero work and Julian calendar work) There are different types of landing place: Governmental organizations Non-governmental organizations Commercial entities Volunteers Everything could be moved under one new roof or different pieces might go different places. While I'm happy to continue time zone work in the future, I also understand that it may be best for others to do the work. Anyone? Bueller? --ado

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tzdata2009m.tar.gz
by Olson, Arthur David (NIH/NCI) [E] Sept. 8, 2009

Sept. 8, 2009

The file... ftp://elsie.nci.nih.gov/pub/tzdata2009m.tar.gz ...is now available; it reflects the Samoa and Palestine changes circulated last week on the time zone mailing list. --ado

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HTTP Mirror Link Broken?
by Bill Seymour Sept. 8, 2009

Sept. 8, 2009

On http://www.twinsun.com/tz/tz-link.htm , the "HTTP mirror" link, http://public.planetmirror.com/pub/timezone , doesn't seem to be a mirror anymore. Is there a way to get the tarballs via HTTP? (My company doesn't allow outside FTP due to Management FUD.) Thanks, --Bill Seymour

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update to proposed "asia" patch
by Arthur David Olson Sept. 3, 2009

Sept. 3, 2009

Given the word from Alexander Krivenyshev, here's an updated "asia" Patch (with changes relative to the current FTP version). If no problems are found, this will show up in the ftp version on 2009-09-08. --ado ------- asia ------- *** /tmp/geta26239 Thu Sep 3 10:23:52 2009 --- /tmp/getb26239 Thu Sep 3 10:23:52 2009 *************** *** 1,5 **** # <pre> ! # @(#)asia 8.38 # This file is in the public domain, so clarified as of # 2009-05-17 by Arthur David Olson. --- 1,5 ---- # <pre> ! # @(#)asia 8.40 # This file is in the public domain, so clarified as of # 2009-05-17 by Arthur David Olson. *************** *** 1836,1841 **** --- 1836,1877 ---- # http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_westbank01.html # </a> + # From Steffen Thorsen (2009-08-31): + # Palestine's Council of Ministers announced that they will revert back to + # winter time on Friday, 2009-09-04. + # + # One news source: + # <a href="http://www.safa.ps/ara/?action=showdetail&seid=4158"> + # http://www.safa.ps/ara/?action=showdetail&seid=4158 + # </a> + # (Palestinian press agency, Arabic), + # Google translate: "Decided that the Palestinian government in Ramallah + # headed by Salam Fayyad, the start of work in time for the winter of + # 2009, starting on Friday approved the fourth delay Sept. clock sixty + # minutes per hour as of Friday morning." + # + # We are not sure if Gaza will do the same, last year they had a different + # end date, we will keep this page updated: + # <a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/westbank-gaza-dst-2009.html"> + # http://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/westbank-gaza-dst-2009.html + # </a> + + # From Alexander Krivenyshev (2009-09-02): + # Seems that Gaza Strip will go back to Winter Time same date as West Bank. + # + # According to Palestinian Ministry Of Interior, West Bank and Gaza Strip plan + # to change time back to Standard time on September 4, 2009. + # + # "Winter time unite the West Bank and Gaza" + # (from Palestinian National Authority): + # <a href="http://www.moi.gov.ps/en/?page=633167343250594025&nid=11505 + # http://www.moi.gov.ps/en/?page=633167343250594025&nid=11505 + # </a> + # or + # <a href="http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_gazastrip02.html> + # http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_gazastrip02.html + # </a> + # The rules for Egypt are stolen from the `africa' file. # Rule NAME FROM TO TYPE IN ON AT SAVE LETTER/S Rule EgyptAsia 1957 only - May 10 0:00 1:00 S *************** *** 1854,1860 **** Rule Palestine 2007 only - Sep Thu>=8 2:00 0 - Rule Palestine 2008 only - Aug lastFri 2:00 0 - Rule Palestine 2009 max - Mar lastFri 0:00 1:00 S ! Rule Palestine 2009 max - Sep lastMon 2:00 0 - # Zone NAME GMTOFF RULES FORMAT [UNTIL] Zone Asia/Gaza 2:17:52 - LMT 1900 Oct --- 1890,1896 ---- Rule Palestine 2007 only - Sep Thu>=8 2:00 0 - Rule Palestine 2008 only - Aug lastFri 2:00 0 - Rule Palestine 2009 max - Mar lastFri 0:00 1:00 S ! Rule Palestine 2009 max - Sep Fri>=1 2:00 0 - # Zone NAME GMTOFF RULES FORMAT [UNTIL] Zone Asia/Gaza 2:17:52 - LMT 1900 Oct

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West Bank to end DST on Friday
by Steffen Thorsen Sept. 3, 2009

Sept. 3, 2009

Palestine’s Council of Ministers announced that they will revert back to winter time on Friday, 2009-09-04. One news source: http://www.safa.ps/ara/?action=showdetail&seid=4158 (Palestinian press agency, Arabic), Google translate: "Decided that the Palestinian government in Ramallah headed by Salam Fayyad, the start of work in time for the winter of 2009, starting on Friday approved the fourth delay Sept. clock sixty minutes per hour as of Friday morning. " We are not sure if Gaza will do the same, last year they had a different end date, we will keep this page updated: http://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/westbank-gaza-dst-2009.html Best regards, Steffen Thorsen - timeanddate.com

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Gaza Strip will join West Bank for transition to Winter Time.
by Alexander Krivenyshev Sept. 3, 2009

Sept. 3, 2009

Seems that Gaza Strip will go back to Winter Time same date as West Bank. According to Palestinian Ministry Of Interior, West Bank and Gaza Strip plan to change time back to Standard time on September 4, 2009. "Winter time unite the West Bank and Gaza" (from Palestinian National Authority): http://www.moi.gov.ps/en/?page=633167343250594025&nid=11505 or http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_gazastrip02.html Alexander Krivenyshev, http://www.WorldTimeZone.com

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Re: New home for time zone stuff by 2012?
by Shreyas Kumar Sept. 1, 2009

Sept. 1, 2009

Yes, Even this wikipedia article mentions 'Olson Database'. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoneinfo -Shreyas ----- Original Message ----- From: autarch(a)urth.org To: tz(a)lecserver.nci.nih.gov Cc: tz(a)lecserver.nci.nih.gov Sent: Monday, August 31, 2009 2:20:14 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: Re: New home for time zone stuff by 2012? On Mon, 31 Aug 2009, Sue Williams wrote: > It would be nice to have a formal name for this tz group. The tz database > has always sounded a bit informal to me. It doesn't sound like a name and > so this group doesn't seem to have a name. I've always called this "the Olson time zone database", and I think it'd be great to make that official in honor of ado, especially once he steps down. > It would be nice if the tz mailing list was posted in a news group format > or forum where different threads of discussion could be tracked > separately. And also was archived by things like gmane and other convenient-to-search-and-browse places. -dave /*============================================================ http://VegGuide.org http://blog.urth.org Your guide to all that's veg House Absolute(ly Pointless) ============================================================*/

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Proposed time zone package changes for West Bank (comment only) and Samoa
by Arthur David Olson Aug. 31, 2009

Aug. 31, 2009

Below are proposed changes to the "australasia" file to reflect use of DST in Samoa in 2009-2010, as well as a comment added to the "asia" file on DST in the West Bank this year. The Samoa change may need tweaking once the actual legislation (and the hour at which the changes take place) is in hand; there may be a need to tweak the "asia" file once Gaza's DST end in 2009 is determined. If no problems are found, these changes will appear in the ftp packages on 2009-09-07. Some long-term work is needed on the differences between West Bank time and Gaza time. --ado ------- australasia ------- *** /tmp/geta10880 Mon Aug 31 12:25:41 2009 --- /tmp/getb10880 Mon Aug 31 12:25:41 2009 *************** *** 1,5 **** # <pre> ! # @(#)australasia 8.12 # This file is in the public domain, so clarified as of # 2009-05-17 by Arthur David Olson. --- 1,5 ---- # <pre> ! # @(#)australasia 8.13 # This file is in the public domain, so clarified as of # 2009-05-17 by Arthur David Olson. *************** *** 443,452 **** # http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_samoa01.html # </a> Zone Pacific/Apia 12:33:04 - LMT 1879 Jul 5 -11:26:56 - LMT 1911 -11:30 - SAMT 1950 # Samoa Time ! -11:00 - WST # Samoa Time # Solomon Is # excludes Bougainville, for which see Papua New Guinea --- 443,468 ---- # http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_samoa01.html # </a> + # From Steffen Thorsen (2009-08-27): + # Samoa's parliament passed the Daylight Saving Bill 2009, and will start + # daylight saving time on the first Sunday of October 2009 and end on the + # last Sunday of March 2010. We hope that the full text will be published + # soon, but we believe that the bill is only valid for 2009-2010. Samoa's + # Daylight Saving Act 2009 will be enforced as soon as the Head of State + # executes a proclamation publicizing this Act. + # + # Some background information here, which will be updated once we have + # more details: + # <a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/samoa-dst-plan-2009.html"> + # http://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/samoa-dst-plan-2009.html + # </a> + Zone Pacific/Apia 12:33:04 - LMT 1879 Jul 5 -11:26:56 - LMT 1911 -11:30 - SAMT 1950 # Samoa Time ! -11:00 - WST 2009 Oct 4 ! -11:00 1:00 WSDT 2010 Mar 28 ! -11:00 - WST # Solomon Is ------- asia ------- *** /tmp/geta10818 Mon Aug 31 12:24:30 2009 --- /tmp/getb10818 Mon Aug 31 12:24:31 2009 *************** *** 1,5 **** # <pre> ! # @(#)asia 8.38 # This file is in the public domain, so clarified as of # 2009-05-17 by Arthur David Olson. --- 1,5 ---- # <pre> ! # @(#)asia 8.39 # This file is in the public domain, so clarified as of # 2009-05-17 by Arthur David Olson. *************** *** 1836,1841 **** --- 1836,1861 ---- # http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_westbank01.html # </a> + # From Steffen Thorsen (2009-08-31): + # Palestine's Council of Ministers announced that they will revert back to + # winter time on Friday, 2009-09-04. + # + # One news source: + # <a href="http://www.safa.ps/ara/?action=showdetail&seid=4158"> + # http://www.safa.ps/ara/?action=showdetail&seid=4158 + # </a> + # (Palestinian press agency, Arabic), + # Google translate: "Decided that the Palestinian government in Ramallah + # headed by Salam Fayyad, the start of work in time for the winter of + # 2009, starting on Friday approved the fourth delay Sept. clock sixty + # minutes per hour as of Friday morning." + # + # We are not sure if Gaza will do the same, last year they had a different + # end date, we will keep this page updated: + # <a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/westbank-gaza-dst-2009.html"> + # http://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/westbank-gaza-dst-2009.html + # </a> + # The rules for Egypt are stolen from the `africa' file. # Rule NAME FROM TO TYPE IN ON AT SAVE LETTER/S Rule EgyptAsia 1957 only - May 10 0:00 1:00 S # excludes Bougainville, for which see Papua New Guinea

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FW: New home for time zone stuff by 2012?
by Olson, Arthur David (NIH/NCI) [E] Aug. 28, 2009

Aug. 28, 2009

I'm forwarding this message from Mike Douglass, who is on the time zone mailing list now but was not when the message was sent. --ado -----Original Message----- From: Mike Douglass [mailto:douglm@rpi.edu] Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 9:56 To: tz(a)lecserver.nci.nih.gov Subject: RE: New home for time zone stuff by 2012? The Calendaring and Scheduling Consortium (CalConnect), through a number of activities over time, has demonstrated an active interest in addressing problems related to timezones for calendaring and scheduling systems for a while. The standards in this space, namely iCalendar, were developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). A number of issues have spurred this work within CalConnect, including (but not limited to) the US EDST changes from 2007. As "consumers" of timezone data (rather than "producers" - which relates to the job done by the community represented by this mailing list, tz(a)elsie.nci.nih.gov) we are eager to see a reliable, timely and secure process for handling timezones. In CalConnect's Timezone Technical Committee (TC), we are presently developing a timezone service protocol that will allow for direct updates of client systems, rather than relying on the current process where systems typically get updated via OS upgrades, if at all. As part of this effort, we are also developing a generic timezone description format in XML so that interchange of timezone data can be done efficiently, and so that we can include structured meta-data like KML for boundary information. CalConnect would like to see a formal "standardization" of timezone names with a registry. This issue has been a problem in the iCalendar space where presently it is difficult to rely on a timezone definition with a given name, often resulting in interoperability problems. CalConnect would like to see timezone data passed "by reference" rather than "by value" for efficiency purposes (iCalendar requires that a VTIMEZONE component always be included in the iCalendar data stream when a timezone is referenced by an event). Earlier this year, CalConnect hosted a timezone workshop at one of its face-to-face Roundtables. The primary focus of the workshop was to discuss the problem statement and development of the protocol, data format and registry process. Since then we have also initiated discussions in the IETF on these topics. As "consumers" of timezone data CalConnect feels strongly about the need for these improvements. None of this necessarily impacts the process of "producing" timezone data as carried out by this list's community. Nonetheless, we care greatly about the "production" process because we have to rely on this data. We have informally discussed within the CalConnect Timezone TC what we would like to see for the future of the timezone data. We have not come to any firm conclusions as to the best way forward. Mr. Olson's email, therefore, comes as a timely reminder that this needs to be addressed now. Possible options (as already indicated by Mr. Olson) include: - Moving it to an "open source" location (such as SourceForge, which has been already suggested) - Setting up some kind of open consortium of interested parties to manage timezone data - Moving responsibility to an existing standards body (e.g., the IETF or the Internet Society - ISOC) - Moving responsibility to a government entity (e.g., the UN) Unfortunately, this debate can easily get mired in "politics" rather than technical issues. e.g., who gets to control the data, how is the service paid for, who gets to contribute. At the end of the day, CalConnect favors an approach which results in the least amount of disruption. The open community process developed via this list's community has clearly been a success, and should be considered as a potential model going forward. CalConnect considers tightening up of the security of the timezone data to be essential. Given that many systems rely on the data being produced, we collectively need a secure distribution (i.e. a secure, reliable server, signed data etc). Whilst there have not been any obvious "attacks" against timezone data, one cannot assume there won't be any in the future. This is a propitious time to achieve consensus on the best way to secure the data. This may very well impose additional requirements on hosting the data in the future, e.g., cost of maintaining the server, signing certificates etc). CalConnect looks forward to the discussions on this issue, and would like to hear the thoughts of other members of this community. CalConnect is ready to host another face-to-face timezone workshop, open to all interested parties, at our member meeting in February 2010. Mike Douglass douglm(a)rpi.edu Chair Timezone Technical Committee, on behalf of CalConnect

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Samoa to start DST
by Steffen Thorsen Aug. 27, 2009

Aug. 27, 2009

Samoa's parliament passed the Daylight Saving Bill 2009, and will start daylight saving time on the first Sunday of October 2009 and end on the last Sunday of March 2010. We hope that the full text will be published soon, but we believe that the bill is only valid for 2009-2010. Samoa's Daylight Saving Act 2009 will be enforced as soon as the Head of State executes a proclamation publicizing this Act. Some background information here, which will be updated once we have more details: http://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/samoa-dst-plan-2009.html Regards, Steffen - timeanddate.com

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