Bug#466781: tzdata: Timezones using GMT offset appear incorrect (opposite of expected)

[Nicole <colby@wsu.edu>]

Package: tzdata
Version: 2007j-1etch1
Severity: important


I am trying to set timezones using tzconfig to their GMT offset versions
(using option 12, then specifying a GMT+/- choice) and the actual values
seem to be the opposite of what I'd expect (i.e. GMT+X actually sets to
what I'd expect for GMT-X).

For example:

Your default time zone is set to 'Etc/GMT+2'.
Local time is now:      Wed Feb 20 19:28:39 GMT+2 2008.
Universal Time is now:  Wed Feb 20 21:28:39 UTC 2008.

* in this case, I'd expect the time to be 23:28:39

Your default time zone is set to 'Etc/GMT-2'.
Local time is now:      Wed Feb 20 23:29:29 GMT-2 2008.
Universal Time is now:  Wed Feb 20 21:29:29 UTC 2008.

* in this case, I'd expect the time to be 19:29:29

I did also test in 2006l-1 and 2007b-1 before 2007j-1etch1. I have not
tested in 2007j-1etch2 or 2007k-3, but did not see any bug reports that
indicate this issue has been resolved in a newer version. 

thanks

-- System Information:
Debian Release: 3.1
Architecture: i386 (i686)
Kernel: Linux 2.4.22
Locale: LANG=C, LC_CTYPE=C (charmap=ANSI_X3.4-1968)

-- no debconf information