DON’T FORGET …

To set your clocks ahead for Daylight Saving Time!

MARCH 11, 2007
Perhaps you didn't know, but daylight savings starts three weeks early this year!  In an effort to create new energy savings, Sunday, March 11th has been designated as the new date for moving those clocks ahead.  Seems simple, doesn't it.  Just do what  we've pretty much always done only a few weeks sooner -- not so!  This change has the potential to wreak havoc with computers, programs and calendars.   A friend of mine from Washington State, Karen Schweinfurth, provided the following information to consider as we enter our longer Daylight Savings period for the first time this year:

You may have heard about the change in Daylight Savings starting this year. DST will start three weeks earlier on March 11, 2007, and end one week later on November 4, 2007.

This could affect machines & computer programs that are set to coordinate time/date using Daylight Savings.

The first step is to ensure that your computer is prepared. For Windows XP users, click the below link to download and install the Daylight Savings patch:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=66F1420C-DF2D-400B-A8A9-EF9061A9A3CA&displaylang=en

Scheduling software, such as Microsoft Outlook, could also be affected.

If you use the calendar feature in Outlook, and have version 2000, 2002, or 2003, you will want to download and install the Time Zone Data Update Tool by using the below link:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=E343A233-B9C8-4652-9DD8-AE0F1AF62568&displaylang=en

You will also want to ensure that any fax machines that you use are changed to the correct time, as well as your digital phone at home, mobile phone, PDA, portable music player, programmable thermostat, digital camera, DVR, etc.

For other scheduling software, Smartphone's, & PDA's, check with the manufacturer to determine if you need to install updates to prepare for the new Daylight Savings rules.

The information above is courtesy of Karen Schweinfurth, RE/MAX Northwest Realtors, Inc., http://www.karensvillas.com.  Thanks, Karen!