Re: [POLL] Proposed syntax for timestamps with time zone info (was: [FEATURE REQUEST] Timezone support in org-mode datestamps and org-agenda)

[Ihor Radchenko <yantar92@posteo.net>]

Samuel Wales <samologist@gmail.com> writes:

> On 2/1/23, Ihor Radchenko <yantar92@posteo.net> wrote:
>> the best we can do is minimizing the breakage when designing the new syntax
>
> as a small nit [followup is not needed as i do not want to distract
> from the big boys talking about quantum dst on pluto for timestamps
> with [axial precession change :[]*, or follow up, as i have given up
> on the topic of tz for timestamps :]]:

That was a half-joke :) [ and, anyway, I do not see why TZDB will not
cover Moon TZ once a standard comes out ]

> it might be that i was not making a point for which it is entirely
> true that what you and everybody else is proposing, i.e. extending
> existing ts syntax for tz, is the best we can do, in principle.  :]
> what you said is true if you stick, for tz-using tses, with extending
> /existing/ ts syntax, as opposed to countenancing, for those tses, an
> extensible syntax that is also usable for ts-unrelated features and
> subfeatures so as to reduce proliferation of new, heterogenous, syntax
> as it will arise in future and has arisen for many years [i prefer
> less syntax], and other stuff like reusable infrastructure for
> semantics and parsing and display etc. and optional ability for users
> to extend syntax themselves readily without it being heterogenous but
> instead merely cl-style kw,

Your idea with universal custom object with cl-style properties is not
forgotten. But it is something should leave as the last resort for
users. Simply because its syntax will inevitably be verbose.

My vision is that Org syntax should be something intuitive for a person
not familiar with Org manual, simple enough to not distract reading the
Org files in plain text without fontification, yet machine-readable.

Too verbose syntax will violate the second point as it will move Org
constructs closer to html tags - too cluttered for reading the sources
directly.

That's why we need to provide _simple_ built-in syntax for common needs.
And time zone support is a common need as evident from the topic
surfacing again and again over the years.

> [*] i have read that global warming relates to earth axis precession
> change due to contemporary mass loss primarily in Greenland.  for all
> i know, also the origins of org coincidentally being due to an
> astrophysicist, this could affect tses.

I'd say that it could affect summer time :)

-- 
Ihor Radchenko // yantar92,
Org mode contributor,
Learn more about Org mode at <https://orgmode.org/>.
Support Org development at <https://liberapay.com/org-mode>,
or support my work at <https://liberapay.com/yantar92>