Time differences *suggestion*

[kostika]

Main problem with this is that many of us are not in the UK and have no idea when UK daylight savings time starts and ends.

GMT is always GMT.

Adding an hour for UK players isnt such a big deal. Many players have to calculate confusing times regardless of daylight savings.

And when someone goes, okay I'm on the west coast I live 8 hours behind GMT, the event is at this time, they'll be wrong.

Whereas if they subtract 8 hours from UK time they'll be there on time.

[geezas]

check out: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

You can make a personal clock there with all the timzones you need. Put in every timezone you need and you have everything you need

Use the timezone convertor to get the times for other zones: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html

hope this helps a bit

[blaah]

And when someone goes, okay I'm on the west coast I live 8 hours behind GMT, the event is at this time, they'll be wrong.

Whereas if they subtract 8 hours from UK time they'll be there on time.

current UTC/GMT time
http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/

[kostika]

current UTC/GMT time
http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/

Thanks. I'm sure people will find that useful.

I personally live in the UK, thus i know what GMT time is.

[bobturke]

And when someone goes, okay I'm on the west coast I live 8 hours behind GMT, the event is at this time, they'll be wrong.

Whereas if they subtract 8 hours from UK time they'll be there on time.

Now I am confused. Aren't these people living 8 hours behind GMT? So their local time is GMT-8?

So someone on the west coast planning to attend an event at 2100 GMT needs to be online at 1300 west coast local time?

For at least half the year doesn't 'UK time' = GMT?

Or am i wrong?

[kostika]

Now I am confused. Aren't these people living 8 hours behind GMT? So their local time is GMT-8?

So someone on the west coast planning to attend an event at 2100 GMT needs to be online at 1300 west coast local time?

For at least half the year doesn't 'UK time' = GMT?

Or am i wrong?

During daylight savings, all time zones +1 to their differance from GMT. So curing the summer PST would be -7 and during the winter -8.

This is why the suggestion for the use of "UK Time" PST will always be -8 hours to current UK time. No extra maths needed.

Keep an eye on the board here. I'm going to make a post that will clearthis all up nicely.

[kostika]

Here is the post I promised. Hopefully this will clear things up and make it easier for event planners and players to figure out when events are scheduled for.

Time Zone Tables

[oldmess]

During daylight savings, all time zones +1 to their differance from GMT. So curing the summer PST would be -7 and during the winter -8.

Not to be contrary, but it's not *all* timezones. There are some areas (at least in the U.S.) that refuse to switch to day light savings time. That's why we don't officially call it EST (for example) all year long. In the summer, it's EDT and those that don't switch continue as EST.

The exceptions help to make this whole issue extra confusing. Your post of timezones is very helpful, but it's slightly inaccurate because the names/abbreviations of our timezones change in the summer.

EST is always GMT-5. EDT is always GMT-4. EDT is only used during the summer and is used by most of that timezone, but not necessarily all. Some parts of the timezone stick with EST all year round.

The best solution in my mind is this:

1. Moderator: Set a standard. I don't care if it's true GMT or UK time, but set one. (OK, I prefer true GMT, but if you believe it'll be easier for the majority to use UK time, fine. Just set a standard so we can stop going back and forth)
2. All events get posted using that time.
3. When creating an event or determining whether you can attend one, go to www.timezoneconverter.com and select your location and the "standard" location and do the conversion there. Keep that site linked on all of your machines. Don't try to memorize the timezone differences or bother with the math.

[kostika]

Not to be contrary, but it's not *all* timezones. There are some areas (at least in the U.S.) that refuse to switch to day light savings time. That's why we don't officially call it EST (for example) all year long. In the summer, it's EDT and those that don't switch continue as EST.

The exceptions help to make this whole issue extra confusing. Your post of timezones is very helpful, but it's slightly inaccurate because the names/abbreviations of our timezones change in the summer.

EST is always GMT-5. EDT is always GMT-4. EDT is only used during the summer and is used by most of that timezone, but not necessarily all. Some parts of the timezone stick with EST all year round.

The best solution in my mind is this:

1. Moderator: Set a standard. I don't care if it's true GMT or UK time, but set one. (OK, I prefer true GMT, but if you believe it'll be easier for the majority to use UK time, fine. Just set a standard so we can stop going back and forth)
2. All events get posted using that time.
3. When creating an event or determining whether you can attend one, go to www.timezoneconverter.com and select your location and the "standard" location and do the conversion there. Keep that site linked on all of your machines. Don't try to memorize the timezone differences or bother with the math.

You are correct. I should have said a majority. I'll add that modifier to the Time Zone table.

BTW...there's no way to set a standard. There's no way to force everyone to post events in a particular time zone.

This is why I made my Time Zone Table post so that no matter what time zone the event coordinator (be it CSR or Player) posts in, people will be able to easily figure out what time the event is.

[dazman76]

So it's possible to move around within a state or region, and have the correct time in one blink of an eye, and be an hour off with the next blink?

Are we talking large areas here, or are we talking towns, cities etc.? Sorry this is a bit off-topic, but the PST->PDT issue has me chuckling a little And do the people who refuse to change have webbed feet and 15 cousins, or do they have a genuine reason for being different?