I received a couple of questions today about the just-announced changes to DST in Venezuela…
“I just read that Venezuela which is apparently changing from GMT-4 to GMT-4:30 on September 1. If this is true, how might this affect DST for customers who use Caracas/La Paz as setting for timezone?”
I believe that they are referring to this Reuters news article (above) that states “Venezuela in September will turn clocks back by 30 minutes as it switches time zones to boost the amount of natural light to residents.”
I found on the ABN site (which I believe is the country’s official news agency) the actual news release on the DST change (and here in Spanish)…
“From next January 1st, 2008, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will have a new time zone that will allow to improve the Venezuelans’ performance on their daily activities.”
First off, this latest DST change for Venezuela isn’t integrated into the latest version of the OS update (available in KB 933360). (BTW, KB 933360 will be released on Windows Update on the 4th Tuesday of August. It is categorized as an Update Roll-up, same as last time with KB 931836, which means that it goes to Automatic Updates, more info available here.)
Second, Microsoft is currently working with representatives in the region to confirm the reports that Venezuela is changing its time zone on Jan. 1, 2008. Later this year we expect to release a cumulative DST and Time Zone Update for Windows that will set the correct dates as understood today for 2008. Customers with Automatic Updates enabled will receive those updates. Changes will include countries that have so far officially announced and approved their observance of DST entry/exit dates in 2008. We’re working with our engineering team on the schedule to include Venezuela in this upcoming update.
We currently maintain customer-ready guidance and information on DST and time zone changes at http://www.microsoft.com/dst2007 – this site is regularly updated with the latest information. Additional information on the most recent DST and time zone updates to the Windows OS can be found on my blog here.
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8 replies on “Your questions: Is DST changing in Venezuela this September?”
I received a couple of questions today about the just-announced changes to DST in Venezuela… "I
Remember the post at the end of August on the new DST rules in Venezuela? News from my new friend Jose
I have watched Venezuelan news and they talked to implement this change, the next week Sep 24, 2008.
Is this is correct, what is going to happen with Exchange meetings and Domain Windows authentication with servers out of this time zone?
I mean the new time zone (-3:30 GMT) does not exist
Thanks in advance
We were able to confirm that Venezuela time zone has been confirmed to GMT -4:30 as original planned.
And you’re right: the starting date is Sept 24. (next Sunday at midnight clocks will move backwards 30 minutes)
We will have more information on this change later today — available as a hotfix — at http://support.microsoft.com/gp/dst_hottopics
When is additional information, or hotfix, to be released? There’s no new information on the DST Hot Topics page.
New info is now available on Egyptian and
Venezuela announces 2007 Time Zone changes
I noticed that KB938977 became available on Wednesday, but, it’s no longer available at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/938977 or https://premier.microsoft.com/kb/938977/. Our onsite IT staff in Caracas is telling us their government has now delayed this TZ change until further notice. I have not been able to confirm this with any official news source, but, did find this blog (http://edoardosez.blogspot.com/2007/09/chavez-time-zone-delay-delayed-for-now.html).
Is there any information as to why KB938977 is no longer available? Possibly due to this potential delay in implementing this TZ change?
The KB should be available today.