I can't believe I have to rant about this *IN 2026* but:

phreakmonkey@infosec.exchange

"5m" is not a useful timestamp.
"4:26PM" is not a useful timestamp.
"1 day ago" is not a useful timestamp.

These things are subjective, and with important data - SUBJECTIVE IS USELESS.

"2026-05-26 13:45:02 UTC" is a timestamp (and the preferred format)

Please, if you design UIs, write "ISO-8601 OR GTFO" in sharpie on the back of your left hand until you get it.

panda@assemblag.es · "2026-05-26 13:45:02 UTC" is a timestamp (and the preferred format)

@phreakmonkey @mcdutchie Markus Kuhn has had a great page on ISO-8601 for a long time (sic) at https://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mgk25/iso-time.html

(His page on ISO 216 is also well worth a visit: https://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mgk25/iso-paper.html )

panda@assemblag.es

@phreakmonkey @mcdutchie On the related topic of time and software development, in a previous life, i had some fun writing ‘Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!’
https://gizmonaut.net/soapflakes/EXE-199707.html

phreakmonkey@infosec.exchange · "2026-05-26 13:45:02 UTC" is a timestamp (and the preferred format)

Got this abomination on an invoice today, from an electronics hobby shop.

ISO-8601 needs to be signed into law.

CIRCLE WITH A DOT