You can. Just remember to set it again in a few weeks when it thinks DST kicks in.

The only negative consequence for a typical home user I can see is that your email program might miscalculate the time difference on other people's email messages in what it displays to you. This isn't usually particularly important.

Wow, you haven't upgraded to SP2 yet? Do you manage my company's IT department?! If so, is there any news on QuarkXpress7.1?

Windows should just prompt you when you start up tomorrow morning - you shouldn't have to do anything yourself.

You probably know this, and this isn't meant to be patronising/condescending, but I'll mention it anyway. IIRC, you're not going to get any more Windows patches without upgrading to SP2. I know it's a massive download, but, for the sake of your PC, it's surely worth it?

Some programs use UTC and others Windows time. Those are going to one hour out for three weeks unless you apply the patch.

IIRC, you're not going to get any more Windows patches without upgrading to SP2.

Patches are for people who give a shit.

But seriously, I didn't know what version I had until checking just now. I'll do it eventually, but I don't like doing it when Windows tells me I have to. I'll do it on my own time, dammit, and not on a day as gorgeous as today.

Here is the windows update as an executable just as you'd get it from Microsoft, post-validation. If it pukes, then use this instead, which is a zip file of the set of registry files that are made by the update, but you'll apply them with a batch file instead of an .exe file. The windows update is direct from MS download center, the registry entries were created by Avid (the video folks) for use on their media management systems, which aren't something you'd want to have MS messing with by updating automatically.

(you can apply either one of these regardless of service pack level, I believe)...

A nice day is the perfect day, let sp2 grind away installing for two+ hours while your outside playing. :)

Dear gods, mudpuppie, upgrade to SP2 stat. There are so many exploits for SP1 systems connected to the net it's no laughing matter. Consider the time change just the kick in the pants you need to keep your machine from becoming a zombie and helping send spam.

The average unprotected PC lasts 20 minutes before infection.

That, or run a firewall.

I'm an IT professional with 10+ years in the industry supporting Windows.

Though I support XP, I don't run XP at home. Because I hate it.

I run 2000, behind both a hardware and software firewall. 2000 is also very unsecure, and it is no longer supported.

But it doesn't really matter, because I'm hiding behind an embedded-linux hardware firewall.

If I plugged this box into an unsecured cable modem raw it would take about 30 seconds for IE to be hijacked. I know, because I've done it various times on purpose.

So, anyway, "Upgrade your XP!!" isn't the only answer, and you shouldn't blindly trust microsoft's updates. Yes, they sometimes close holes, but not all of them. Just because you've patched and updated doesn't mean your system is secure - often those patches and updates open new holes, because Microsoft sucks.

Moreover, this mentality of "update! patch! upgrade!" isn't going to help computer security in the long run. It's like Nancy Reagan's Just Say No campaign - it doesn't actually educate anyone on what the dangers actually are and how to combat them.

...so, LQ, what SP level of Win2k are you running? SP2 or SP3? I heard SP4 caused problems because it wasn't really ready when they said it was. :)

I agree with you 100% about not applying patches willy-nilly - I want to review the list first, thanks. Because that's wise. On the other hand, not installing a major service pack is equally unwise. Automatic updates was a big part of SP2, which is a downer, but let us not forget the much better firewall than was there before. It still sucks, but at least it's something between them and you. SP2 was released in August of '04. I'd say it's been fairly well field-tested and is probably pretty safe to install. Of course, when you install XP SP2, expect about 77 updates after SP2 to come down from MS. That's the list that's up for review. Not everyone needs the Euro conversion update. But an update to the DST capability for your computer? I looked at it pretty carefully - part of that whole Avid thing we do - and I'd say that one's pretty safe. Even my mobile phone needed an update.

I also agree with you that education is the key, I'm not sure you're going to get the average Metachat user to run out and install a Linux hardware firewall, though, unless you wrap it up in a pretty blue box and call it a Linksys. Part of the solution is education, part of it is better software/hardware, and part of it is a computer's license.
That's right, I said it. I think computer users should be licensed to drive em, just like cars. And some should have their license suspended, and some should get tickets, and some should just have them REVOKED.
P.S. There's a reason they don't let me out much.

For immediate release: As of January 2007, Wedge has officially announced that Fisher-Price Windows XP and Fisher-Price Windows Vista will no longer be supported. Wedge is 1337 and will continue to use his current operating systems without purchasing upgrades. Wedge believes that selling products with flaws, holes, and vulnerabilities which can "expose customers to security risks", while politely urging customers to pay for a newer "fixed" version of the product resembles a business model often used by organized crime syndicates.

re: daylight saving time... i went to nist.time.gov and updated my clocks manually. (im running win2k; ymmv)

Wow, pups, you're not running SP2? That totally explains this.

You should really upgrade.

LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!!