Last entry incase someone does use the file. I tried to incorporate Zefram's concept of abbrev-to-candidate. Only a few could be done. I started with CST, PST and realized I would be creating more conflicts, so quickly abandoned zone allocation. The one candidate per time suffices for most of the abbreviations (present or recent events). I removed any references to zones and indicated the time the abbreviation was linked to, either by government or mostly Olson files, since that's what they where/are used for. One stumped me, a few were best guesses as to the times. Multiple candidates per zone was beyond the scope of use, for me, as a date string in my situation can only have one use. There is no way I can query for additional input. Yes UTC should be used if it can be, but I do like my mail referencing my zone abbreviation, so even if a server sent in UTC I would hope my mail converted to my location. Since my project requires that I interpret the abbreviation, I make an attempt at doing so. If you don't use nor find helpful, consider this the rantings of a loon and have your app avoid at all costs. If you can create a better solution please share! I am by no means an expert on time nor its use. There may be one conflict I did create with your database, as mine is different. Please see the Indonesia times and its link to the information it is derived from (in W's), I even think it might contain different offsets?. Thanks again for all replies and here is the corrected version. Steve