default timezone

[Scott]

We are in the same boat.

I was also looking for a way to set a domains timezone through CPanel because server logs are also annoying with the timestamps written to system time. Or possiblely through some Apache directive that could be added to htaccess file.

I am going to check further on the Apache thing and post back results.

[Scott]

Well you can set your env variable using an Apache directive. Place this line in your .htaccess file in your document root directory:

SetEnv TZ America/Chicago

After placing this in my .htaccess file, PHP works like a champ and you no longer have to make the adjustment in your PHP code. However, MySQL still requires the per connection manipulation.

[Dmitriy]

Well, yes, PHP uses server local time. You can obtain if local server time is in DST (call date('I')). As for MySQL - it depends on configuration. Check MySQL manual: A.4.6. Time Zone Problems.

However, from the PHP script you can't determine if (let's say the server is in Florida) if in New Ziland is used DST right now. See: About Daylight Saving Time. That is why many PHP applications have 'Use DST' in options (it simply adds 1 hour to the user timezone).

JM, Scott, any comments?

Very interesting situation arises, when user says his timezone is GMT +2 & he is in country that uses DST..... so what the current user time is? Anybody knows for sure?

[Dmitriy]

Finally, after few hours of searching, found & tested a script. Seems working good:
Timezone and Daylight Saving Time Script
However, I wasn't able to check many timezones... Have a look at it

[Matt]

From his site:

At the time of writing this, I am aware that the United States is considering passing legislation that would change their daylight savings time rules with Canada to possibly follow suit. Once these new rules are made official, I will make an effort to update this script to reflect the changes.

I believe this was passed this year. Though I forget what it was, I think what it entailed was a change to the date that DST was recognized on.

Can anyone confirm or deny that the changes have already been made?