Daylight Saving Time on your computer

Daylight Saving Time comes early this year, thanks to a recent federal law change. We will "spring forward" this Sunday, March 11, by setting our clocks an hour later and we won't "fall back" until November 4. Because these time changes are built into the operating system of most of our computer-based devices, we normally don't have to give that much thought: our computers and all of their programs just update on their own.

But this year, we'll need to update the information our computers use to make that change. Some computers, especially those running Microsoft Vista and Microsoft XP with automatic updates enabled, will have already received the special update to accomplish this. Other computers and devices will require a manual download. Here are some places you can look to find more information specific to the versions you have on hand (or to help decide what it is you have):

• Microsoft's Daylight Saving Time Help and Support Center
• Daylight Saving Time on your Mac
• Is Your Windows XP Ready to Spring Forward?
• And there's even a patch for your Windows-operated cell phone: Updating Windows Mobile-powered devices for the new Daylight Saving Time

(via Librarians' Internet Index)

updated to add:

• And for other software than your basic operating system, The Calendaring and Scheduling Consortium offers Extended Daylight Saving Time Links, Advisories and Changes (via Brad)

Download a free book for your iPod

Choose Your Own Adventure: The Abominable Snowman comes to life! is available for download in a format that can be read on an iPod, complete with links to each of the story's plot alternatives. The free file download runs through January 25, 2007, and installation instructions are available. (via The Consumerist)

Sony CDs removed from library shelves

If you've been following the tech news over the past couple weeks, you may have heard some confusing stuff about programs included on Sony music CDs that can make your computer vulnerable to malicious takeover or even break your computer entirely. The gist of the story is that in order to protect their music from what they feel to be illicit copying, Sony included on certain CDs a program required to play the CD that can open vulnerabilities in your computer. This program affects Windows computers, according to present knowledge, but just today news was released that some Sony CDs also contain programs written for Mac operating systems although the impact of these have not yet been fully evaluated. The library has confirmed that none of the CDs in its collection are those that have been identified to date as containing this program. As a precaution, the library has also removed all Sony CDs from the shelves, pending clarification of their status. Those who have Sony CDs in their own collections may want to review the list of the identified affected CDs (more on identifying the CDs). If you may have played one of them on your computer or you are concerned whether you may have this program installed, you can run a quick test to see. If you indeed do have the program, you may want to consult a computer expert regarding its removal, since current analysis indicates that the "fix" being distributed by Sony causes further problems when it removes the program. In the meantime, it's probably a good idea to back up all of your important files, just in case you end up sustaining damage to your system. To learn more and to stay up to date on the news of this problem, try a google search on the terms "sony rootkit". Update: USAToday reports that Sony is pulling all of the affected CDs off the market and will offer exchanges to customers who have purchased them. Details on the exchange program are due to be released later this week. Further update (2/24/06): Final Sony page about the rootkit, what titles contain it, and how to update or uninstall the program. Similar programs are reported to be showing up on some DVDs as well, making this a topic to continue to follow in the news.