Re: Time Zone Debate

[Lou Quillio <public -at- quillio -dot- com>]

Lisa Dugger wrote:
> Which is the correct usage of listing multiple business hours
> with a time zone?

Not a matter of "correct", rather "clear".  First thing we need to
know are the days, next the times, then the time-zone clarification.
You don't want to say "Central `Standard` Time" or "CST", just
"Central Time" or "CT":  let the reader correct for daylight
savings.  Depending on audience, it can sometimes be clearer to just
say "Chicago time" or "(Chicago, U.S.)".

  Monday - Thursday:  8AM - 7PM, CT
  Friday:  8AM - 7PM, CT

Why no spaces/periods in the time (8:00 A.M.)?  It's visual noise,
and there's no clarity advantage.  Same with minutes.  Include 'em
if they matter, forget 'em if they don't.

Is "CT" unclear?  Maybe, but probably not.  I see the days.  Got it.
I see the times.  Got it.  Wait.  They may not be in my time zone.
"CT" probably answers that (because there's a pattern of descending
significance).  If I'm on Central Time, I already know what's up.
If I'm not, I know I need to check it.

In doubt?  Spell out "Central Time".  Global reach?  "U.S. Central
Time".

Side by side now:


  Monday - Thursday:  8AM - 7PM, CT
  Friday:  8AM - 7PM, CT


  8:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 A.M. to
  7:00 P.M. Friday, Central Time.


Forget "correct".  Which is clearer, easier to parse?  More, which
is clearer to ESL users?

You don't have to decode mine.  It's plain.

LQ


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