To make it easier for Thomas' Java library, the timezone in the datestamps may also be of the form "0500". Here are the valid forms and new examples TZD = time zone designator (optional; one of the formats "Z", +hh:mm, +hhmm, -hh:mm, or -hhmm) 1959-21-52T09:35+0300 2042-03-18T01:19:00-11:15 Andrew dalke at dalkescientific.com