Re: Odd timezone backend output

Andrew Chernow wrote:
>
> I prefer offset from UTC, the timezone abbrevs are ambiguos and 
> confusing.  If I am in a timezone that is currently 4 hours behind 
> UTC, I would prefer all times to display adjusted by that offset.  I 
> understand that technically its eastern time and EDT makes no sense in 
> Jan (NOTE: linux 'date' command rejects this ... should the backend?), 
> but its friendlier to adjust by a single offset (at least me thinks). 
> The individual's perception of time is -0400, thus displaying all 
> times adjusted by that seems logical.  My whole preference here is in 
> regards to display times. I always try to see things from a 
> non-technical end-user's perspective.
>

Well, I think you're failing in this instance :-). If I see a time that 
says 4.00 am June 27th tzname I understand it to be with the offset that 
was current in that time zone *at that time*. And I certainly don't want 
it to change depending on what the *current* offset is in that time zone 
- I want it always to display the same. I bet if you take a random 
sample of non-technical end-users you'll find that's exactly what the 
vast majority want.

cheers

andrew