Can't compare naive and aware datetime.now() <= challenge.datetime_end

A Quicker How-to

Rather than battling timezones, here's a quicker way:

from django.utils import timezone

# Converting a naive datetime to the current timezone
naive = datetime.now()
aware = timezone.make_aware(naive, timezone.get_current_timezone()) # timezone is now aware and speaks fluent "timezone-ish"

# Or use timezone.now() to get an aware datetime right out of the box, like a well-trained pet!
aware_now = timezone.now()
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A wise precaution would be to always use timezone information explicitly, enabling the Fearless Knights of Time Comparison to always win against the evil Dragon of Inaccuracy.

Unix Timestamps And Their Shenanigans

Occasionally, you’ll have to deal with UNIX timestamps - here’s how you can tame them:

from datetime import datetime
import pytz

# Convert UNIX timestamp into an aware datetime
timestamp = 1650935625
aware_from_timestamp = datetime.utcfromtimestamp(timestamp).replace(tzinfo=pytz.utc) # it's now a well-behaved citizen of TimeZone Land
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These UNIX timestamps are the Mysterious Hermits of TimeZone Land, communicating in UTC time. So convert them to an aware datetime in UTC everytime you handle them, for conduct becoming a responsible timezone citizen.

Django Settings and Model Fields

Know your tools. Django DateTimeField can be your best friend or worst enemy, dealing with both naive and aware datetimes.

from django.db import models

class Challenge(models.Model):
    datetime_start = models.DateTimeField()  # The "Alright let's go!" moment
    datetime_end = models.DateTimeField()  # The "I'm going home!" moment
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Ensure USE_TZ = True is in your settings.py, and let's rule Timestamp Island consistently, Lord Commander!

A Guide To Edge Cases

Several potential pitfalls to remember:

• Time-Space Wormholes: Days when daylight saving time changes can mess up your datetime just like a wormhole. Approach with caution!
• The Secret Talents of astimezone(): In some scenarios, aware_datetime.astimezone() may be more flexible.
• Databases - A Parallel Universe: Make sure your database's timezone aligns with your application, or else risk opening a space-time rift.
• Servers and their Demands: Deploying to servers that follow a different worldview (timezone)? Check their passport and make sure they really are who they say they are!

Few tips to get timezones right:

• UTC, The Universal Language: Always use UTC, converting to local time when required.
• No Doppelgängers: Make sure to use timezone objects from either pytz.UTC or django.utils.timezone.utc.
• Arm Yourselves With Tools: Django’s toolbox is your armory for this TimeZone war.
• Explicitness is the best disguise: Specify timezone information every time. Let there be no secret agents!

Arm yourselves with these guidelines, and conquer the TimeZone battlefield.