news.volyx.in

Time.gov was upgraded today (time.gov)

692 points by bryant · 2438 days ago · 210 comments on HN

Article summary

The official US government website time.gov has been upgraded. The site displays Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and allows users to compare their device's clock to the official time. The site also provides information on privacy, security, and accessibility. The upgrade includes a new design and features such as a 24-hour clock toggle.

Main themes

  • government website design
  • timekeeping and accuracy
  • web development and technology
  • privacy and surveillance
  • accessibility and usability
  • government accountability and transparency

What commenters say

  • The new design of time.gov is clear and effective in displaying information without being too bright or garish.
  • The use of analytics on government websites is necessary for accountability and to show the value of taxpayer money.
  • The implementation of a 10-minute refresh interval on time.gov may be unnecessary and could be improved with more modern techniques such as websockets.
  • The collection of analytics data on government websites is a form of mass surveillance and is not justified.
  • The design of time.gov takes into account color-blindness and accessibility issues.
  • The site's use of AM/PM time format is consistent with US customs, but some users prefer a 24-hour format.
  • The accuracy of the site's time display is impressive, but may be affected by device and browser limitations.
  • The site's refresh interval may be related to the need to sync clocks with the US Navy and NIST every 10 minutes.