Time zone database and code. Contribute to eggert/tz development by creating an account on GitHub.
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By simonw 2018-07-2814:02 One of my favorite surprising corners of the internet is the tz mailing list, where updates to the tz database are actively discussed:
https://mm.icann.org/pipermail/tz/2018-July/thread.html
The amount of effort and detail that goes into this database is astonishing - every few days there's a new twist introduced by timezone legislation somewhere around the world.
Even more impressive is their dedication to building a correct database of historic timezone changes - here's a post where someone submitted further details on the history of time in Macau for example: https://mm.icann.org/pipermail/tz/2018-May/026467.html
By kstrauser 2018-07-2816:17 This is like catnip to me. There's a tiny little critical corner of the Internet where dedicated volunteers bust their tails to make sure they get the details excruciatingly correct.
It's also a useful reminder to never, ever attempt to do datetime math on your own. Always use a library! And if that library is buggy, submit patches but don't say "aww, I'll just do it myself".
And while we cherish the work of volunteers maintaining this database, let's not forget that this database was once the subject of a meritless lawsuit: https://www.eff.org/press/releases/eff-wins-protection-time-...
By breakingcups 2018-07-3111:42 The statement from the accuser was refreshing though:
In a statement, Astrolabe said, "Astrolabe's lawsuit against Mr. Olson and Mr. Eggert was based on a flawed understanding of the law. We now recognize that historical facts are no one's property and, accordingly, are withdrawing our Complaint. We deeply regret the disruption that our lawsuit caused for the volunteers who maintain the TZ database, and for Internet users."
