Time Zone Head-Scratcher Issue

Hello Admin, Staff and Darko

As there is ongoing maintenance, I'll take the opportunity to add to the list of issues that could do with some TLC.

The problem is the time zone settings in Accounts Settings; it has been broken for as long as I've been here, but I always failed to mention it, as it's not that important, just a nuisance.

I'm in GMT +1, but have never been able to save that setting. The closest I've got is GMT (0), which I do by selecting GMT -1.

Here are two screenshots to demonstrate what happens:

I select GMT +1...


After submitting the change, the time zone reverts to GMT +4.


I've experimented with each time zone and here are my results. I list them as they appear in the drop-down menu and if they stick or revert to something else. It's a real head-scratcher! I hope this study helps in diagnosing and fixing the issue.

Extra info: Happens on Win10 PC and Android (all browsers).

GMT -12:00 = OK
GMT -11:00 = -12:00
GMT -10:00 = -11:00
GMT -09:00 = OK
GMT -08:00 = OK
GMT -07:00 = OK
GMT -06:00 = OK
GMT -05:00 = OK
GMT -04:00 = OK
GMT -03:30 = -02:00
GMT -03:00 = -03:30
GMT -02:00 = OK
GMT -01:00 = GMT
GMT = +03:00
GMT +01:00 = +04:00
GMT +02:00 = +04:30
GMT +03:00 = +05:00
GMT +03:30 = +05:45
GMT +04:00 = +05:45
GMT +04:30 = +06:00
GMT +05:00 = +06:00
GMT +05:30 = +06:30
GMT +05:45 = +06:30
GMT +06:00 = +06:30
GMT +06:30 = +07:00
GMT +07:00 = OK
GMT +08:00 = OK
GMT +09:00 = OK
GMT +09:30 = +10:00
GMT +10:00 = OK
GMT +11:00 = OK
GMT +12:00 = OK
GMT +13:00 = OK

ETA: Just to add... Even with GMT 0 saved, the actual posting time of this thread is wrong. I posted at 14:34 (GMT +1), but the time shown is 12:34, when it should have been 13:34 (GMT).

edit on 6/4/2023 by Encia22 because: Just tinkering + extra info

a reply to: Encia22

My friend, I fear you have slipped out of phase with the rest of us ... you are always three hours in the past.



Cheers

Sarcastic answer for a laugh: Have you thought about moving?

Serious answer: It is possible that the server times are based on US time zones rather than GMT adjusted. Currently the US is on DST while, I believe, the rest of Europe (world?) is not. Such a thing would make times correct for the US but not elsewhere versus correct elsewhere but wrong in the US where both the servers are hosted and the majority of members reside.

originally posted by: Ahabstar
Serious answer: It is possible that the server times are based on US time zones rather than GMT adjusted. Currently the US is on DST while, I believe, the rest of Europe (world?) is not. Such a thing would make times correct for the US but not elsewhere versus correct elsewhere but wrong in the US where both the servers are hosted and the majority of members reside.

Europe switched already.

a reply to: F2d5thCavv2

Story of my life, mate! Even my shadow shouts at me to keep up!

a reply to: Ahabstar

Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. I've moved from the US to the UK to Canada and back to Europe... I'm tired of living out of suitcase. And it's not over yet.

I'm sure the servers are on US time, but I thought the whole point of having the option of selecting my time zone was to show me posting times relative to my geo location. The problem is I can't make it stick and, as my study shows, many locations don't work, either.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

Yep, we switched to DST on March 26th.

a reply to: Encia22

Ah…dodgy old code it is then.

Flat earth confirmed.

a reply to: Encia22

According to the definitions I have on my account, I'm supposed to be in Bagdad (GMT + 3), so let's see what time this post will have.

Edited to add that the time appears correct to me.

Allright...let`s just all synchronize our watches now....we have thing to do

originally posted by: ArMaP
a reply to: Encia22

According to the definitions I have on my account, I'm supposed to be in Bagdad (GMT + 3), so let's see what time this post will have.

Edited to add that the time appears correct to me.

Your post is showing up to me as 16:56 when it was actually 18:56 where I am (in my profile I've got GMT 00:00 set, so, at best it should display as 17:56).

originally posted by: Kenzo

Allright...let`s just all synchronize our watches now....we have thing to do

At least the date is right, I might just be a little early or late, but never on time... and time is monkey!

originally posted by: v1rtu0s0
Flat earth confirmed.

I don't buy it. I've seen the unreachable horizon... I will not be converted.

a reply to: Encia22

17:56 is the correct time for me, I'm in Portugal.

a reply to: ArMaP

Ok, thanks for the info. If I remember correctly, the first time I saw the time zone settings, it was set to Baghdad +3. It probably doesn't actually apply unless you start messing around with the zones.

Just out of curiosity, I just checked on a new phone I'm setting up and I'm seeing the same time discrepancy. I was hoping that maybe my old phone was the problem... unfortunately, it's the server/coding at fault or I've got a funky account.

a reply to: Encia22
Can I ask whether the correct time normally shows on your screen? The reason I ask is that my own "timezone" display when I check my account settings has always been GMT+3, which is apparently Bagdad time. Yet the time recorded when I post is always correctly GMT. EXCEPT in that portion of the year when America goes into Summer Time before Britain, when it goes one hour ahead prematurely (this is the point which you seem to be noticing in your final comment). As for the rest, I wonder if you are experiencing the more long-term issue, namely the fact that the time in the settings display reverts to a default time even if a different time has actually been correctly set.

a reply to: DISRAELI

Thanks for replying. Let me do some tests and I'll get back to you later... I've had a few ideas.

a reply to: Encia22

Do we have an ongoing thread where we can report issues?

Obviously, Darko has a daunting task in this endeavor. I think it would help to have one single thread where they are ALL reported.

Then admin, can prioritize each accordingly, or not at all, if they decide.

I’d say the largest existing issue I see is for mobile version. There is no ‘New Topics’. It directs straight to the main page. I’m sure they’re a lot of users that are using phones. And they also use it for their daily news. Not having a new page can place us out of the loop on new events as they arise.

a reply to: KKLOCO

No, there is no single thread at the moment, Perhaps a single thread would be overwhelming; there would be so many comments, adding their particular own problems, that it would be a nightmare to extract the single issues.

Some members have posted in the the Website Design Forum, bu I think that the best place to start a topic for any new issue, not currently being discussed, is right here in this Board Business & Questions forum.

As for the New Topics page, I had the same problem and here is the fix I posted elsewhere.

To get your PC (or phone) to load the new topic page just delete the browser cache and cookies from the last 24 hours or week.

Here's the link to that page - - >
www.abovetopsecret.com...