Can I set the local timezone in my browser via Javascript?

Question

I know I can get the local timezone offset via new Date().getTimeZoneOffset(). But where did Javascript get that information? Is there a way I can set it, so that all future Date objects have the offset I want? I tried searching the DOM in Firebug, but couldn't find anything.

What I am trying to accomplish is converting epoch times to readable format, but it needs to be in US/Central, no matter what the browser's OS setting. Because I am using US/Central, it's not a fixed difference from GMT. So instead of a bunch of super nasty conversion steps, why can't I just tell Javascript that I'm actually in US/Central?

Answer 1

I know I can get the local timezone offset via new Date().getTimeZoneOffset(). But where did Javascript get that information?

An implementation of ECMAScript is expected to determine the local time zone adjustment.

Is there a way I can set it, so that all future Date objects have the offset I want?

No.

So instead of a bunch of super nasty conversion steps, why can't I just tell Javascript that I'm actually in US/Central?

Have you considered using a library?

Answer 2

Currently, Moment-Timezone enables us to set the "browser's" default timezone by using moment.tz.setDefault().

You'll have to use moment() instead of Date(), but this is still a nice upgrade over the weird JS Date object.