Time-zone database used by Unix shut down due to IP litigation
Can somebody explain what benefits we have from having time zones _at all_? They are an absolute mess: <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/World_Time_Zones_2011_%28October_2011%29.png" rel="nofollow">http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/World_Tim...</a> Wouldnt it be easier to have one time for the whole planet, like we have one date for the whole planet? Is there some reasoning behind it or is it just another case of historical baggage? There seems to be no other rationale behind it than allies and trading partners wanting to have the same or comparable time display.