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RE: New home for time zone stuff by 2012?
by Mike Douglass Aug. 27, 2009

Aug. 27, 2009

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 CalConnects 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 wont 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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FW: FW: source file correction for tzdata (egypt end of daylight savings)
by Olson, Arthur David (NIH/NCI) [E] Aug. 24, 2009

Aug. 24, 2009

I'm forwarding this message from John D. Martin III, who is not on the time zone mailing list. Those of you who are on the time zone mailing list, please direct replies appropriately. John's most recent message seems to indicate that the latest "africa" file has the correct transiton time for Egypt. --ado From: John Martin [mailto:john.d.martin.iii@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, August 24, 2009 11:15 To: Olson, Arthur David (NIH/NCI) [E] Cc: tz(a)elsie.nci.nih.gov Subject: Re: FW: source file correction for tzdata (egypt end of daylight savings) I live in Cairo. The time changed before the month of Ramadan began on Saturday 22 August 2009. The actual date of the change was midnight between Thursday 20 and Friday 21, which was not expected before it was announced by the government this week. Prior to that, it had been expected that we would switch after the Islamic month of Ramadan toward the end of September. The reason for the change is that Muslims here fast (no food, drink, smoking or sex) during daylight hours, so this effectively moves the end of fasting every day an hour earlier. They will likely not continue this past this year, but for the past few years, they have switched the time from DST right before Ramadan for this same reason. The reason that this keeps changing is that the Islamic calendar and the gregorian calendar do not line up. Instead, because the Muslim calendar bases the months on the moon phase, the beginning date for each month (including Ramadan) move earlier each year. Again, this will likely not happen again after this year, but you can never tell. The Egyptian government might choose otherwise. No telling until very close to the date. J -- John D. Martin III john.d.martin.iii(a)gmail.com http://youcantmakemistakes.com +1.269.216.9126 (us) +20.16.558.5960 (eg) On Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 17:00, Olson, Arthur David (NIH/NCI) [E] <olsona(a)dc37a.nci.nih.gov> wrote: I’m forwarding this message from John D. Martin III, who is not on the time zone mailing list. Those of you who are on the time zone mailing list, please direct replies appropriately. John's message indicates a change at the midnight between Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22 while the current "Africa" file indicates a change at the midnight between Thursday, August 20 and Friday, August 21. Is there anyone with boots on the ground in Egypt who can tell us what actually happened last week? --ado From: John Martin [mailto:john.d.martin.iii@gmail.com] Sent: Saturday, August 22, 2009 6:43 To: tz(a)lecserver.nci.nih.gov Subject: source file correction for tzdata (egypt end of daylight savings) I am sending some info about the end of daylight savings time for Egypt in 2009. The line for 2009 for Egypt/Cairo in 'africa' within the tzdata source should read : Rule Egypt 2009 only - Aug 21 23:00s 0 - Rule Egypt 2010 max - Sep lastThu 23:00s 0 - The beginning of Ramadan has been used to determine the switch to standard time. In 2009 the switch occurred on 21 August at midnight or the third Thursday of the month. This will likely revert in 2010 to the standard time in the last week in September. Thanks. J -- John D. Martin III john.d.martin.iii(a)gmail.com http://youcantmakemistakes.com +1.269.216.9126 (us) +20.16.558.5960 (eg)

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FW: source file correction for tzdata (egypt end of daylight savings)
by Olson, Arthur David (NIH/NCI) [E] Aug. 24, 2009

Aug. 24, 2009

I’m forwarding this message from John D. Martin III, who is not on the time zone mailing list. Those of you who are on the time zone mailing list, please direct replies appropriately. John's message indicates a change at the midnight between Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22 while the current "Africa" file indicates a change at the midnight between Thursday, August 20 and Friday, August 21. Is there anyone with boots on the ground in Egypt who can tell us what actually happened last week? --ado From: John Martin [mailto:john.d.martin.iii@gmail.com] Sent: Saturday, August 22, 2009 6:43 To: tz(a)lecserver.nci.nih.gov Subject: source file correction for tzdata (egypt end of daylight savings) I am sending some info about the end of daylight savings time for Egypt in 2009. The line for 2009 for Egypt/Cairo in 'africa' within the tzdata source should read : Rule Egypt 2009 only - Aug 21 23:00s 0 - Rule Egypt 2010 max - Sep lastThu 23:00s 0 - The beginning of Ramadan has been used to determine the switch to standard time. In 2009 the switch occurred on 21 August at midnight or the third Thursday of the month. This will likely revert in 2010 to the standard time in the last week in September. Thanks. J -- John D. Martin III john.d.martin.iii(a)gmail.com http://youcantmakemistakes.com +1.269.216.9126 (us) +20.16.558.5960 (eg)

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source file correction for tzdata (egypt end of daylight savings)
by John Martin Aug. 22, 2009

Aug. 22, 2009

I am sending some info about the end of daylight savings time for Egypt in 2009. The line for 2009 for Egypt/Cairo in 'africa' within the tzdata source should read : Rule Egypt 2009 only - Aug 21 23:00s 0 - Rule Egypt 2010 max - Sep lastThu 23:00s 0 - The beginning of Ramadan has been used to determine the switch to standard time. In 2009 the switch occurred on 21 August at midnight or the third Thursday of the month. This will likely revert in 2010 to the standard time in the last week in September. Thanks. J -- John D. Martin III john.d.martin.iii(a)gmail.com http://youcantmakemistakes.com +1.269.216.9126 (us) +20.16.558.5960 (eg)

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FW: updated Olson DB for new end of Egypt DST
by Olson, Arthur David (NIH/NCI) [E] Aug. 17, 2009

Aug. 17, 2009

I'm forwarding this message on behalf of Amr Elmalah who is not on the time zone mailing list. Those of you who are on the list, please direct replies appropriately. --ado -----Original Message----- From: news [mailto:news@ger.gmane.org] On Behalf Of Amr Elmalah Sent: Monday, August 17, 2009 6:50 To: tz(a)lecserver.nci.nih.gov Subject: updated Olson DB for new end of Egypt DST Dear all, Is there is a new version of JAVA TZupdater with the modified Olson DB that has the new winter time change for Egypt (20 August). We need to update the JAVA with the new winter time. Any help?? Regards, Amr.

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tzdata2009l.tar.gz
by Olson, Arthur David (NIH/NCI) [E] Aug. 17, 2009

Aug. 17, 2009

The file... ftp://elsie.nci.nih.gov/pub/tzdata2009l.tar.gz ...is now available; this reflects the changes circulated last week on the time zone mailing list for Samao (comments only) and Egypt. If information arrives regarding Samoa there may be another update. --ado

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updated Olson DB for new end of Egypt DST
by Amr Elmalah Aug. 17, 2009

Aug. 17, 2009

Dear all, Is there is a new version of JAVA TZupdater with the modified Olson DB that has the new winter time change for Egypt (20 August). We need to update the JAVA with the new winter time. Any help?? Regards, Amr.

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proposed time zone package changes for Samoa (comment only) and Egypt
by Arthur David Olson Aug. 14, 2009

Aug. 14, 2009

Below are propsed changes to the "africa" file (for the end of DST in Egypt in 2009) and the "australasia" file (adding a comment about the possibility of Samoa observing DST in 2009/2010). If no problems are found, expect these to show up on the ftp server this coming Monday. --ado ------- africa ------- *** /tmp/geta13168 Fri Aug 14 09:02:44 2009 --- /tmp/getb13168 Fri Aug 14 09:02:44 2009 *************** *** 1,5 **** # <pre> ! # @(#)africa 8.22 # This file is in the public domain, so clarified as of # 2009-05-17 by Arthur David Olson. --- 1,5 ---- # <pre> ! # @(#)africa 8.23 # This file is in the public domain, so clarified as of # 2009-05-17 by Arthur David Olson. *************** *** 276,283 **** # In 2009 (and for the next several years), Ramadan ends before the fourth # Thursday in September; Egypt is expected to revert to the last Thursday # in September. Rule Egypt 2008 only - Aug lastThu 23:00s 0 - ! Rule Egypt 2009 max - Sep lastThu 23:00s 0 - # Zone NAME GMTOFF RULES FORMAT [UNTIL] Zone Africa/Cairo 2:05:00 - LMT 1900 Oct --- 276,302 ---- # In 2009 (and for the next several years), Ramadan ends before the fourth # Thursday in September; Egypt is expected to revert to the last Thursday # in September. + + # From Steffen Thorsen (2009-08-11): + # We have been able to confirm the August change with the Egyptian Cabinet + # Information and Decision Support Center: + # <a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/egypt-dst-ends-2009.html"> + # http://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/egypt-dst-ends-2009.html + # </a> + # + # The Middle East News Agency + # <a href="http://www.mena.org.eg/index.aspx"> + # http://www.mena.org.eg/index.aspx + # </a> + # also reports "Egypt starts winter time on August 21" + # today in article numbered "71, 11/08/2009 12:25 GMT." + # Only the title above is available without a subscription to their service, + # and can be found by searching for "winter" in their search engine + # (at least today). + Rule Egypt 2008 only - Aug lastThu 23:00s 0 - ! Rule Egypt 2009 only - Aug 20 23:00s 0 - ! Rule Egypt 2010 max - Sep lastThu 23:00s 0 - # Zone NAME GMTOFF RULES FORMAT [UNTIL] Zone Africa/Cairo 2:05:00 - LMT 1900 Oct ------- australasia ------- *** /tmp/geta13288 Fri Aug 14 09:13:20 2009 --- /tmp/getb13288 Fri Aug 14 09:13:20 2009 *************** *** 1,5 **** # <pre> ! # @(#)australasia 8.11 # This file is in the public domain, so clarified as of # 2009-05-17 by Arthur David Olson. --- 1,5 ---- # <pre> ! # @(#)australasia 8.12 # This file is in the public domain, so clarified as of # 2009-05-17 by Arthur David Olson. *************** *** 427,432 **** --- 427,448 ---- -11:00 - SST # S=Samoa # Samoa + + # From Alexander Krivenyshev (2008-12-06): + # The Samoa government (Western Samoa) may implement DST on the first Sunday of + # October 2009 (October 4, 2009) until the last Sunday of March 2010 (March 28, + # 2010). + # + # "Selected Committee reports to Cabinet on Daylight Saving Time", + # Government of Samoa: + # <a href="http://www.govt.ws/pr_article.cfm?pr_id=560"> + # http://www.govt.ws/pr_article.cfm?pr_id=560 + # </a> + # or + # <a href="http://www.worldtimezone.com/dst_news/dst_news_samoa01.html"> + # 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

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End of DST in Africa/Cairo 2009
by jacquie＠entropy.cc Aug. 13, 2009

Aug. 13, 2009

Hi, Does anyone know of an update for the end of DST in Africa/Cairo? According to the latest tzdata2009k.tar.gz, DST will end on September 24, 2009. However, time and date have August 20, 2009: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/clockchange.html?n=53 We have confirmed with several properties in Cairo that DST will end on August 20th. Thanks in advance for any information. Jacquie

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Where do you get time zone boundary infomation from ?
by Rod Williams Aug. 7, 2009

Aug. 7, 2009

I am a software engineer working for an avionics company. I am currently working on a project that requires the software I will create to know the time *any place on earth given a latitude and longitude*. Time zone boundaries and time rules will need be *updated on a monthly basis*. This task is proving to be very difficult. The most difficult part is getting up to date data on for time zone boundaries. *Most of the services and databases I have researched only give time zone information for a particular city in that given time zone (ie. Olson Time Zone Database), I have yet to find anything that defines the actual time zone boundaries.* *Is there a service or database that gives up to date boundary and time rules monthly, and has worldwide coverage?* Thanks in advance, Rod Williams

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