/* returns TRUE if first argument is earlier than second  */
static gboolean is_earlier(nstime_t *l, nstime_t *r)
/* returns TRUE if first argument is earlier than second  */
static gboolean is_earlier(nstime_t *l, nstime_t *r)
{
    if (l->secs > r->secs) {
        return FALSE;
    } else if (l->secs < r->secs) {
        return TRUE;
    } else if (l->nsecs > r->nsecs) {
        return FALSE;
    }
    return TRUE;
}