I was rummaging around to see what web service based UTC clocks I
could find for a small data-taking project. (Small project, large
data, actually.) I happened to visit:
http://www.time.gov/about.html
and found this disclaimer:
"This web site is intended as a time-of-day service only.
It should not be used to measure frequency or time interval,
nor should it be used to establish traceability to NIST or the
USNO."
During this Holiday Season (sorry, Mr. O'Reilly), I'm reminded of
"Miracle on 34th Street":
"Your Honor...every one of these letters is addressed
to Santa Claus. The Post Office has delivered them.
Therefore, the Post Office...a branch of the federal
government...recognizes this man, Kris Kringle...
to be the one-and-only Santa Claus!
If NIST and USNO, official agencies of the United States government,
declare time-of-day to be distinct from time interval, who are we to
disagree? As the New York State Supreme Court rules in the play:
"Since the United States government...
declares this man to be Santa Claus...
this court will not dispute it."
Case dismissed!
Rob Seaman
NOAO
Received on Wed Nov 29 2006 - 09:46:35 PST