voked by uid 1001); 12 Jun 2024 17:07:07 -0000
From: "Mark Delany" <x9k@charlie.emu.st>
Comments: QMDASubmit submit() 0.2.0-final
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Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2024 17:07:07 +0000
To: FreeBSD Hackers <freebsd-hackers@freebsd.org>
Subject: Re: Removing "CMOS clock set to UTC" question
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On 12Jun24, Ed Maste apparently wrote:
> Our installer asks (via tzsetup):
> 
> > Is this machine's CMOS clock set to UTC?  If it is set to local time,
> > or you don't know, please choose NO here!
> 
> I've heard many reports of new users being confused by this question

And experienced users too!

I've been installing FBSD and various other OSes for decades and whenever I see that
question invariable:

  a) I have no clue as to what the machine's CMOS clock is set to in the first instance

  b) I do not want the hassle of stopping the install to gain access to some obscure BIOS
     screen that might or might not give me the answer.

  c) I have no clue as to the implications of answering this question one way or the
     other.

  d) I don't know whether it's a good idea or not to change the CMOS clock to UTC if it's
     not the case. Is it?

  e) I don't think I've ever seen a similar question asked by any other OS install.

At the very least the message should indicate what happens if you get the answer
wrong. Does the system fail to install, does the clock run backwards, will my dog stop
barking? What?


Mark.