[tz] Policy Suggestion: Minimum time period betwen releases

[Philip Paeps]

On 2023-03-28 00:46:13 (+0800), Howard Hinnant via tz wrote:
> Recent events have brought to my attention the need to put a damper on 
> chaos caused by poor planning.  When governments give little notice to 
> changes in time zone rules, this is not a problem that this group can 
> fix, or should even try.
>
> I propose a minimum period of 30 days between successive IANA tz 
> database releases.  The train leaves the station no more frequently 
> than once every 30 days (and will probably be less frequent).  
> Whatever information is solid before the release date makes it on the 
> train.  Otherwise it can wait another 30 days (at least).
>
> My recommendation is in part based on this common statement:
>
>     Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my 
> part
>    https://www.incirlik.af.mil/News/Commentaries/Display/Article/303134/poor-planning-on-your-part-does-not-constitute-an-emergency-on-my-part/
>
> This week’s chaos isn’t unusual.  In fact it is normal, especially 
> for some countries.  If they can’t be bothered to make a plan in 
> advance and stick with it, I don’t see why this group of volunteers 
> needs to compensate for that.  Let the politicians lie in the beds 
> they make.

I also disagree with this proposal.

While I am sympathetic to your reasoning, I believe it is flawed.  This 
project exists to record the reality on the ground, not to attempt to 
influence it.  In this instance, poor planning on [your] part sadly does 
constitute an emergency on [our] part.

On the bright side, as a volunteer project, we are under no obligation 
to respond to emergencies in a timely manner.  We don't have to put out 
the fires.  We merely have to record when they happen.  We don't make 
any commitments about how soon we respond to emergencies.  We shouldn't 
make any commitments about how much time needs to pass between 
emergencies.

Philip

-- 
Philip Paeps
Senior Reality Engineer
Alternative Enterprises
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