September12

What Time Is It, Really?

6:45 (bathroom clock)
7:39 (coffee pot clock – after one day of being on)*
7:49 (microwave)
7:52 (alarm clock)
7:55 (cable box)
7:55 (computer)
7:55 (cell phone)
7:55 (car)

Those are the times of my various clocks show when being compared to each other. Some are small variances and others are large, but all in all, I know which clocks to look at if I want the right time (cable box, computer or cell phone).

Why look at those? Simple, they’re tied to the atomic clock, which means they’re all as accurate as can possibly be – which fits in nicely with some of my anal tendencies.

The nice thing about certain clocks being tied into the atomic clock is that they’re automatically updated, re-synced, and adjusted when needed. For example, when I cross into a new time zone, my phone changes. When daylight savings occurs, my cable box (and phone, and computer) changes. All I have to worry about is changing the other clocks in my place.

But being tied into the atomic clock poses an interesting question for cable subscribers – specifically Tivo/DVR users. If you (the cable box) know exactly what time it is, when television shows run over their scheduled time (or when NBC decides to start shows earlier than they’re supposed to), why can’t you make sure and record that for me? In addition... why can’t I drill down into 15 minute intervals? You tell me that the Clone Wars cartoon is five minutes long, so what comes on after that? Nothing, apparently.

Soon (October 30) we’ll be setting our clocks back for Daylight Savings Time (tip: Spring Forward, Fall Back). Like I mentioned, I won’t have to worry about my main clocks, just the stupid ones. Or will I?

The short answer, no, not this year. The longer answer, yes, you might have to worry next year. Why? Because President Bush signed the energy bill that will extend Daylight Savings time an entire month next year. So, big deal, right? I didn’t think it would be a big deal, that is, until I read this possible drawback:

Computers, Clocks and Gadgets – Many electronic devices automatically adjust for day light saving time. Some of these devices will show incorrect times. Some computer software will have to be reprogrammed.

Some computer software will have to be reprogrammed. You mean like Y2K? How did that happen? You just programmed the entire cable system to automatically change on a giant list of dates and that’s not easy to change? Why didn’t you foresee something possibly changing in the future and spend a tiny bit more time to make this a non-issue?

So if it’s a potential problem with clocks tied to the atomic clock, then here’s your solution. When daylight savings occurs, you hire some dude to sit there at the precise time and, get this, change the clock ahead (or back) one hour. To much of a hassle? THEN FIX YOUR SILLY SYSTEM!!!

* Is this not one of the more important ones? It needs to be accurate for those of you who drink coffee.

+ original post date: September 12, 2005 12:45 PM
+ categories: WTF