(Archived) Custom formatting time stamps

[jmayson 10]

When I use the Windows client I will often use CTRL + ; to add a date & time stamp. I have a weird request and perhaps I'm the only one who needs this. I'd like to choose the format of the time stamp. I personally like the Unix date command output (e.g. Tue Sep 20 22:03:51 CDT 2011) because it gives me day of the week and the time zone. I travel internationally and sometimes it's good to know exactly when I time stamped something. Some programs and websites allow the user to choose from a list of formats. I'm thinking of something along those lines.

And speaking of this feature, is it available for the Mac? CMD + ; doesn't do it.

[Metrodon 2,188]

It's not available on a Mac at the moment - I use an app called TextExpander (which is thoroughly brilliant by the way), that allows me to do the same (+another bunch of other things).

[s2sailor 2,459]

... and perhaps I'm the only one who needs this. I'd like to choose the format of the time stamp.

Not at all, this has been brought up a few times before. Having the ability to customize the date/time would be nice. Personally, I never need the time, just the date. Probably half the time I just type it in, the other half I use the hot key and then backspace over the time. As metrodon mentions, many use TextExpander which is on my list to try but the pain level for me, in just typing the date, isn't very high. For what you want, investigating TextExpander may be time well spent.

[Metrodon 2,188]

Textexpander lets you do far more than just the date. I use it for a bunch of things - email sigs, my conference call bridge, times and dates, locations etc.