Hey All!   
      
   I've started using the rfc 3339 datetime and for backwards compatibity with   
   the ages old obsoleted ftn style needed to come up with a way to create date   
   and time stamps for both pkt and msg headers without any local system   
   corruption.  Some might find this handy and then again maybe not but this   
   message will automagically create backups for me both locally and in the cold,   
   cruel world.  :::evil grin:::   
      
   Generating a rfc 3339 stamp is easy;   
      
     rfc3339=$(date --rfc-3339=seconds)   
      
   To convert the above to a ftn msg and pkt datetime string;   
      
     ftn_msg_datetime=$(date --date="$rfc3339" +"%d %b %y  %T")   
     ftn_pkt_datetime=$(date --date="$rfc3339" +"%Y %-m %-d %-H %-M %-S")   
      
   The pkt datetime will need to be converted to 16 bit binary but the above   
   $ftn_pkt_datetime string is in the correct order to accomplish this.   
      
   Lastly one will require a TZUTC kludge and that could look something like this;   
      
     ftn_TZUTC="TZUTC: $(echo $rfc3339 | cut -c20- | tr -d ':+')"   
      
   Note that 'tr' is deleting the '+' character when it occurs just to placate   
   silly DOS-think ftn people.  ;-)  Also one will have to add the 0x01 prefix   
   and the 0x0d suffix to the $ftn_TZUTC string when packing a msg for transport.   
      
   The most important aspect about this strategy is that the locally stored msg's   
   only need to store the $rfc3339 string and then anything is possible and saves   
   bytes per msg.  Most imprtantly is that 'lean and mean' is maximized using   
   this method.   
      
   Life is good,   
   Maurice   
      
   ... A Møøse once bit my sister ...   
   --- GNU bash, version 4.2.24(3)-release (x86_64-core2-linux-gnu)   
    * Origin: Pointy Stick Society (1:261/38.9)