Last year federal regulations mandated that Daylight Savings Time (DST) begin three weeks earlier and conclude one week later than in previous years. As a result of this mandate, the ?fall back” time change will occur Sunday, November 4.
As with all DST changes, be mindful of calendar appointments and time-sensitive matters on November 4 and 5 (the first fall change under the new rules) and October 27 and 28 (the old time change date under the old rules).
University-owned Windows computers plugged in to the campus network received the updated DST information last spring when the new rules went into effect. You should not have to do anything special with your university-owned Windows desktop computer other than check it on the critical dates above to make sure the time is correct.
If you notice a problem, call the Faculty/Staff Help Center at 410-704-5151 (2+2+2 on the voice menu) and we will be delighted to assist with your time arrangements.
The following cases may require some additional attention:
Laptop Computers
We recommend individuals with university-owned laptop computers to practice a monthly “plug-it-in-at-work day.” Connecting your laptop to a campus wall jack with an ethernet cable or placing it into your docking station is a failsafe way to ensure it gets the DST update as well as other critical security patches and updates. If you already practice this, you should be fine with the DST change. Otherwise, bring your university-owned laptop to campus before November 3 and plug it in as noted above.
Home Computers
See Microsoft?s Daylight Savings Time Help and Support Center at {support.microsoft.com/gp/cp_dst} for information on how to properly update the time on your home computer. As long as Windows Update is on your computer the time should adjust correctly without intervention. Please contact your support provider or Microsoft for further assistance with home or personal computer systems.
Mobile Devices (PDAs, Smart Phones)
University-owned devices were updated in the spring by individual owners or at one of several “configuration clinics” hosted by OTS. Check the time on the critical dates at the beginning of this article, and reset it if it isn’t correct. For further instructions on updating your personally owned device, please see the manufacturer?s website.
– For Windows Mobile devices, open {www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/daylightsaving}.
– For PalmOS devices, open {www.palm.com/us/support/downloads/dst.html}.
– For Blackberry devices, open {http://www.blackberry.com/select/dst2007}.
MacIntosh Computers
Make sure Software Update is running on your Mac system and verify the time on the critical dates at the beginning of this article. See Apple’s Daylight Savings Time site for additional information:
{http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305056}
