Don't forget to move the clock forward

Anyone who thought Indiana's switch to Daylight Saving Time last year was confusing should know that things are about to change again.

Two years ago, the U.S. Congress voted to move DST ahead to the second Sunday in March, which means Indiana residents will join the majority of the nation in moving their clocks ahead one hour this weekend.

Previously the time change didn't take effect until the first Sunday in April.

Congressional leaders who voted for the new Energy Bill said the reason for moving up the start of DST was to save energy.

Most people will change their clocks when they go to bed Saturday night, but it doesn't really matter, as long as you remember to do it before you get up for work on Monday morning.

DST will end and residents will turn their clocks back one hour on Nov. 4, or the first Sunday in November. Prior to this year, DST ended on the last Sunday in October.

Ah, but it gets more confusing.

Anyone with interests overseas should be aware that Europeans won't spring ahead until March 25, so remember that if you're heading across the pond this month.

And unlike the Americans, the Europeans will continue to fall back on the last Sunday in

October, which is Oct. 28 this year.

Something else residents should know is that because DST is occurring three weeks earlier than normal, some computer systems, cell phones and other electronics may not recognize the time change.

Mark Lewis, sales manager for H.O.P. Technologies in Greencastle, said some computer users may have to manually change their computer's clock this weekend even if they have it set to change automoatically.

The reason is that computers were made to recognize DST on the first Sunday in April.

Lewis, however, said that users can go to the Microsoft website and download software that will ensure their computer recognizes DST. Go to the main website and click on the link called "Daylight Saving Time Help and Support Center."

According to online encyclopedia Wiki--pedia.com, most of Africa, South America and Southeast Asia do not observe Daylight Saving Time.

A majority of North America, Europe and Northeast Asia do observe it.