def fromJSON(value):
        """loads the GP object from a JSON string """
        j = json.loads(value)
        v = GPDate()
        if "defaultValue" in j:
            v.value = j['defaultValue']
        else:
            v.value = j['value']
        if 'paramName' in j:
            v.paramName = j['paramName']
        elif 'name' in j:
            v.paramName = j['name']
        #from datetime import datetime
        #if isinstance(value, datetime):
            #v.value = local_time_to_online(value)
        #else:
            #v.value = value
        #v.paramName = j['paramName']
        return v
loads the GP object from a JSON string