This Sunday, the U.S. goes onto daylight-saving time due to an energy-saving plan passed by Congress in 2005. The “spring ahead” time change will be three weeks earlier than usual and could cause major problems in home and business computers.

Granted, my computer won’t cause problems for anyone if it doesn’t change to the new time when it should. But what about computers that coordinate flight schedules, trains, subways, bank vaults, security systems, medical equipment, and a plethora of other things we take for granted and that I can’t even think of much less list.

How will the early time-change affect those people who are dependent on their Palm Pilots to keep them on schedule? Or the automated scheduling programs that some companies use to confirm appointments.

How much real energy will we save by “springing ahead” so early? And will the savings be worth the cost to businesses and consumers? No doubt we’ll read all about it… after the presses get back on schedule.