In 2007, several countries change the dates on which they observe Daylight Saving Time (DST). In the United States, all states except Arizona and Hawaii will begin observing Daylight Saving Time on March 11.

Your computer may need to be updated to adjust for these changes. Apple has released updates to fix this problem. If you’re running Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or 10.3 (Panther) use your Mac’s Software Update feature (Apple Menu> Software Update…) to automatically download the new DST update.

If you’re running Mac OS X 10.4.5 or higher, your DST info is already correct for the U.S. and for all of Canada except Alberta. However, to be completely up to date, use your Mac’s Software Update feature to update to Mac OS X 10.4.8 and automatically install the DST update (which also includes DST changes for Australia and Brazil).

Run these updates as soon as convenient. Make sure to update your company’s servers and backup workstations to prevent problems with mixed times in your studio.

Additional Resources:

Apple TechNotes:

About Daylight Saving Time changes in 2007

Manually download Mac OS X DST Updates:

Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)

Mac OS X 10.3.9 (Panther)

Microsoft Updates:

Daylight Saving Time Help and Support Center

Source: This tip is inspired by recent questions from in-house creative departments at Cruise West Travel and Swedish Medical Center. The tip itself comes from the February 2007 issue of Design Tools Monthly. Design Tools Monthly is mailed each month to Creativetechs’ priority support clients. The 12-page newsletter summarizes important stories from magazines and websites for Macintosh-based graphic designers.