"Midnight"

Pumpy Tudors · 09-13-2007, 12:48 PM

I have a basic question here with a not-so-basic answer. We just had a 15-minute debate here at work over this.

Last week, a company-wide e-mail was sent out saying that "the server will be unavailable beginning midnight Thursday, September 13 through Sunday, September 16." If you were showing up to work at 8:00 Thursday morning, would you expect the server to be up or down?

Neon_Chaos · 09-13-2007, 12:49 PM

I would probably just ask for clarification.

Eaglesfan27 · 09-13-2007, 12:49 PM

I'd expect it to be down. Midnight Thursday means Weds night/Thursday morning to me.

rkmsuf · 09-13-2007, 12:50 PM

After midnite, we're gonna let it all hang out.

Lorena · 09-13-2007, 12:51 PM

down

next day starts at midnight. What'cha win?

Alan T · 09-13-2007, 12:52 PM

I think midnight = 0:00

So Wednesday night is 11:59pm -> 0:00am (Midnight) Thursday morning.

I would assume the box would be down at 8am Thursday morning.

spleen1015 · 09-13-2007, 12:54 PM

I would have taken that to mean 0000 on Friday morning.

Midnight is the name of the raid leader of my WoW guild. I think Pumpy is coming up with a not-so-clever way of stalking me.

cartman · 09-13-2007, 12:55 PM

I would definitely schedule a meeting with the lady a couple of doors down, to be absolutely sure.

Pumpy Tudors · 09-13-2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neon_Chaos

I would probably just ask for clarification.

If it affected whether I needed to come in to work or not, I'd ask. I have to be here anyway - even on Friday - so it didn't matter enough for me to ask the question. I'm just curious about how many people are on each side of the debate, as I was outnumbered 4-to-2 just now.

Yes, I know I haven't stated which side I'm on yet.

cartman · 09-13-2007, 12:58 PM

And I'd schedule the meeting to be reoccurring, M-F at midnight.

Honolulu_Blue · 09-13-2007, 12:58 PM

I'm going the other way on this one. I say "up."

While technically 0:00 am (Midnight) is Thursday morning, most people would consider "midnight" as part of that night, as opposed to the next day's morning. For example, if someone said "Let's meet up Friday at midnight," I would be much more inclined to think I was meeting them Friday night as opposed to Thursday night.

spleen1015 · 09-13-2007, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

Yes, I know I haven't stated which side I'm on yet.

That's not important. You're just a loser, dude.

Pumpy Tudors · 09-13-2007, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cartman

And I'd schedule the meeting to be reoccurring, M-F at midnight.

Would that be Monday night through Friday night, or Sunday night through Thursday night? She's gonna want to know this.

Kodos · 09-13-2007, 01:01 PM

Yes. I would interpret midnight Thursday as the end of Thursday, not the beginning.

Pumpy Tudors · 09-13-2007, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spleen1015

That's not important. You're just a loser, dude.

Well, shit. OK, this thread is getting deleted.

Thanks for the input, guys!

spleen1015 · 09-13-2007, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

Well, shit. OK, this thread is getting deleted.

Thanks for the input, guys!

All talk, no action.

Whatever dude.

JonInMiddleGA · 09-13-2007, 01:02 PM

I would have expected it to be down.

Neon_Chaos · 09-13-2007, 01:03 PM

I would interpret it as the midnight between Thursday and Friday, though.

You have to admit, that was a poorly worded memo.

cartman · 09-13-2007, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

Would that be Monday night through Friday night, or Sunday night through Thursday night? She's gonna want to know this.

Better set it to all seven days of the week then, to avoid any non-meeting interaction.

Lathum · 09-13-2007, 01:05 PM

I would think it means Thursday/Friday

Pumpy Tudors · 09-13-2007, 01:11 PM

OK, I took it to mean that the server would be down. In a more casual situation - such as meeting with friends someplace - I would assume Thursday night. In this case, however, I suppose I expected more precision, as this was coming from the IT department involving official company business. I figure that the clock changes from 11:59pm Wednesday to 12:00am Thursday; therefore, midnight Thursday is the beginning of the day.

Now, I can obviously see how it is open to interpretation, and the bottom line is that the memo was worded poorly. If they would've said "midnight Thursday night," it may not be technically correct, but I wouldn't question it or be confused about it either. It would get the point across, and I wouldn't care. In this case, it was ambiguous. What got me in the debate was that I and the one person who agreed with me conceded that it's ambiguous. The four people on the other side couldn't understand my view at all. One of them actually asked me (somewhat seriously) who taught me how to tell time.

After further research, it appears that the term "midnight" is naturally ambiguous, as it's the exact midpoint between one day and another. Technically, it's neither day. Of course, it's highly unlikely that the IT department is going to take the server down in that instant, so it's probably going to be sometime between 12:00am and 12:01am, which is where I was coming from with my argument.

Whatever the case, the server is up today and will be down tomorrow. I just thought that IT could've communicated their plans a little better. Adding one word would've cleared the whole thing up. Just say "Thursday night" instead of "Thursday." Oh, well. Like I said, I had to be here anyway.

st.cronin · 09-13-2007, 01:14 PM

Why couldn't they just wait a minute to take it down?

Draft Dodger · 09-13-2007, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

I'm going the other way on this one. I say "up."

While technically 0:00 am (Midnight) is Thursday morning, most people would consider "midnight" as part of that night, as opposed to the next day's morning. For example, if someone said "Let's meet up Friday at midnight," I would be much more inclined to think I was meeting them Friday night as opposed to Thursday night.

this.

cartman · 09-13-2007, 01:16 PM

Did you tell the person who asked you where you learned to tell time:

"Oh, you are SO done. Be sure to check the cables next time you ride the mine elevator, or buy deodorant at Walgreens."

Lathum · 09-13-2007, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Why couldn't they just wait a minute to take it down?

because then it would have been friday. duh.

Pumpy Tudors · 09-13-2007, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Why couldn't they just wait a minute to take it down?

I agree with this completely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cartman

Did you tell the person who asked you where you learned to tell time:

"Oh, you are SO done. Be sure to check the cables next time you ride the mine elevator, or buy deodorant at Walgreens."

Have you bugged my office or something??

bbor · 09-13-2007, 01:18 PM

I'm Canadian....we do things ass backwards...so i can;t help.

st.cronin · 09-13-2007, 01:19 PM

Why would somebody need to check the cables when buying deodorant at Walgreen's?

Pumpy Tudors · 09-13-2007, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Why would somebody need to check the cables when buying deodorant at Walgreen's?

I take it you've never been to Pennsylvania.

Radii · 09-13-2007, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

I'm going the other way on this one. I say "up."

While technically 0:00 am (Midnight) is Thursday morning, most people would consider "midnight" as part of that night, as opposed to the next day's morning. For example, if someone said "Let's meet up Friday at midnight," I would be much more inclined to think I was meeting them Friday night as opposed to Thursday night.

+1

lordscarlet · 09-13-2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

OK, I took it to mean that the server would be down. In a more casual situation - such as meeting with friends someplace - I would assume Thursday night. In this case, however, I suppose I expected more precision, as this was coming from the IT department involving official company business. I figure that the clock changes from 11:59pm Wednesday to 12:00am Thursday; therefore, midnight Thursday is the beginning of the day.

Now, I can obviously see how it is open to interpretation, and the bottom line is that the memo was worded poorly. If they would've said "midnight Thursday night," it may not be technically correct, but I wouldn't question it or be confused about it either. It would get the point across, and I wouldn't care. In this case, it was ambiguous. What got me in the debate was that I and the one person who agreed with me conceded that it's ambiguous. The four people on the other side couldn't understand my view at all. One of them actually asked me (somewhat seriously) who taught me how to tell time.

After further research, it appears that the term "midnight" is naturally ambiguous, as it's the exact midpoint between one day and another. Technically, it's neither day. Of course, it's highly unlikely that the IT department is going to take the server down in that instant, so it's probably going to be sometime between 12:00am and 12:01am, which is where I was coming from with my argument.

Whatever the case, the server is up today and will be down tomorrow. I just thought that IT could've communicated their plans a little better. Adding one word would've cleared the whole thing up. Just say "Thursday night" instead of "Thursday." Oh, well. Like I said, I had to be here anyway.

I agree with all of this. "Midnight" to meet up at a bar is the end of the night. Midnight for server being down is the beginning of the morning. In addition, this is why when scheduling things work related I use 12:01 and 11:59, but never midnight or noon.

korme · 09-13-2007, 02:04 PM

Wording it "Midnight, Thursday" makes me think it's down Thursday morning.

If it had been worded "Thursday at midnight" I'd assume it would be down Friday.

M GO BLUE!!! · 09-13-2007, 03:27 PM

Your company informs you of such activities?

Mine wastes memos on interns birthdays "Stop by and wish her a happy birthday!" yet when it comes to important operational activities we're on our own... No servers, yeah we knew. Is that a problem? Deal with it.

sterlingice · 09-13-2007, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M GO BLUE!!!

Your company informs you of such activities?

Mine wastes memos on interns birthdays "Stop by and wish her a happy birthday!" yet when it comes to important operational activities we're on our own... No servers, yeah we knew. Is that a problem? Deal with it.

SI

Tigercat · 09-13-2007, 07:03 PM

The term Midnight means the last gasp of the night before 12am, IMO. (As in the instant right before/right at 12am right before it is the AM.) Thats why its called midNIGHT. They should have put 12am Thursday instead, obviously.

Pumpy Tudors · 09-13-2007, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigercat

The term Midnight means the last gasp of the night before 12am, IMO. (As in the instant right before/right at 12am right before it is the AM.) Thats why its called midNIGHT. They should have put 12am Thursday instead, obviously.

But it is going down on 12am Friday (about an hour from now in my time zone).

Lorena · 09-14-2007, 08:22 AM

I got an email from my boss today at 12:01am stating that a new person is starting "tomorrow". I thought of this thread and chuckled

Pumpy Tudors · 09-14-2007, 09:34 AM

The server's down today, and I'm a little bored. Does anyone want to come over and dance?

Lorena · 09-14-2007, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpy Tudors

The server's down today, and I'm a little bored. Does anyone want to come over and dance?

Get your butt on AIM.

Vinatieri for Prez · 09-15-2007, 02:06 AM

Hence the reason all insurance policies start at 12:01 a.m. of a certain date. It's actually a pretty important issue for something like that.

09-13-2007, 12:49 PM	#2
Neon_Chaos Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Parañaque, Philippines	I would probably just ask for clarification. __________________ Come and see.

09-13-2007, 12:49 PM	#3
Eaglesfan27 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: New Jersey	I'd expect it to be down. Midnight Thursday means Weds night/Thursday morning to me. __________________ Retired GM of the eNFL 2007 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles (19-0 record.) GM of the WOOF 2006 Doggie Bowl Champion Atlantic City Gamblers. GM of the IHOF 2019 and 2022 IHOF Bowl Champion Asheville Axemen.

09-13-2007, 12:50 PM	#4
rkmsuf Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2001	After midnite, we're gonna let it all hang out. __________________ "Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales

09-13-2007, 12:55 PM	#8
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	I would definitely schedule a meeting with the lady a couple of doors down, to be absolutely sure. __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

09-13-2007, 12:58 PM	#10
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	And I'd schedule the meeting to be reoccurring, M-F at midnight. __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

09-13-2007, 12:51 PM	#5
Lorena Unregistered Join Date: May 2004	down next day starts at midnight. What'cha win?

09-13-2007, 12:52 PM	#6
Alan T Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mass.	I think midnight = 0:00 So Wednesday night is 11:59pm -> 0:00am (Midnight) Thursday morning. I would assume the box would be down at 8am Thursday morning.

09-13-2007, 12:54 PM	#7
spleen1015 Coordinator Join Date: Sep 2003	I would have taken that to mean 0000 on Friday morning. Midnight is the name of the raid leader of my WoW guild. I think Pumpy is coming up with a not-so-clever way of stalking me.

09-13-2007, 12:58 PM	#11
Honolulu_Blue Hockey Boy Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Royal Oak, MI	I'm going the other way on this one. I say "up." While technically 0:00 am (Midnight) is Thursday morning, most people would consider "midnight" as part of that night, as opposed to the next day's morning. For example, if someone said "Let's meet up Friday at midnight," I would be much more inclined to think I was meeting them Friday night as opposed to Thursday night. __________________ *Steve Yzerman*: 1,755 points in 1,514 regular season games. 185 points in 196 postseason games. A First-Team All-Star, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Selke Trophy winner, Masterton Trophy winner, member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Olympic gold medallist, and a three-time Stanley Cup Champion. Longest serving captain of one team in the history of the NHL (19 seasons).

09-13-2007, 01:01 PM	#14
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	Yes. I would interpret midnight Thursday as the end of Thursday, not the beginning.

09-13-2007, 01:02 PM	#17
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	I would have expected it to be down. __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

09-13-2007, 01:03 PM	#18
Neon_Chaos Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Parañaque, Philippines	I would interpret it as the midnight between Thursday and Friday, though. You have to admit, that was a poorly worded memo. __________________ Come and see.

09-13-2007, 01:05 PM	#20
Lathum Favored Bitch #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: homeless in NJ	I would think it means Thursday/Friday

09-13-2007, 01:11 PM	#21
Pumpy Tudors Bounty Hunter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pittsburgh, PA	OK, I took it to mean that the server would be down. In a more casual situation - such as meeting with friends someplace - I would assume Thursday night. In this case, however, I suppose I expected more precision, as this was coming from the IT department involving official company business. I figure that the clock changes from 11:59pm Wednesday to 12:00am Thursday; therefore, midnight Thursday is the beginning of the day. Now, I can obviously see how it is open to interpretation, and the bottom line is that the memo was worded poorly. If they would've said "midnight Thursday night," it may not be technically correct, but I wouldn't question it or be confused about it either. It would get the point across, and I wouldn't care. In this case, it was ambiguous. What got me in the debate was that I and the one person who agreed with me conceded that it's ambiguous. The four people on the other side couldn't understand my view at all. One of them actually asked me (somewhat seriously) who taught me how to tell time. After further research, it appears that the term "midnight" is naturally ambiguous, as it's the exact midpoint between one day and another. Technically, it's neither day. Of course, it's highly unlikely that the IT department is going to take the server down in that instant, so it's probably going to be sometime between 12:00am and 12:01am, which is where I was coming from with my argument. Whatever the case, the server is up today and will be down tomorrow. I just thought that IT could've communicated their plans a little better. Adding one word would've cleared the whole thing up. Just say "Thursday night" instead of "Thursday." Oh, well. Like I said, I had to be here anyway. __________________ No, I am not Batman, and I will not repair your food processor.

09-13-2007, 01:14 PM	#22
st.cronin General Manager Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Mexico	Why couldn't they just wait a minute to take it down? __________________ co-commish: bb-bbcf.net knives out

09-13-2007, 01:16 PM	#24
cartman Death Herald Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Le stelle la notte sono grandi e luminose nel cuore profondo del Texas	Did you tell the person who asked you where you learned to tell time: "Oh, you are SO done. Be sure to check the cables next time you ride the mine elevator, or buy deodorant at Walgreens." __________________ Thinkin' of a master plan 'Cuz ain't nuthin' but sweat inside my hand So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent So I dig deeper but still comin' up with lint

09-13-2007, 01:18 PM	#27
bbor Pro Starter Join Date: May 2001 Location: toronto	I'm Canadian....we do things ass backwards...so i can;t help. __________________ Pumpy Tudors Now that I've cracked and made that admission, I wonder if I'm only a couple of steps away from wanting to tongue-kiss Jaromir Jagr and give Bobby Clarke a blowjob.

09-13-2007, 01:19 PM	#28
st.cronin General Manager Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Mexico	Why would somebody need to check the cables when buying deodorant at Walgreen's? __________________ co-commish: bb-bbcf.net knives out

09-13-2007, 02:04 PM	#32
korme Go Reds Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bloodbuzz Ohio	Wording it "Midnight, Thursday" makes me think it's down Thursday morning. If it had been worded "Thursday at midnight" I'd assume it would be down Friday.

09-13-2007, 03:27 PM	#33
M GO BLUE!!! Pro Starter Join Date: Sep 2005	Your company informs you of such activities? Mine wastes memos on interns birthdays "Stop by and wish her a happy birthday!" yet when it comes to important operational activities we're on our own... No servers, yeah we knew. Is that a problem? Deal with it.

09-13-2007, 07:03 PM	#35
Tigercat College Starter Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Federal Way, WA	The term Midnight means the last gasp of the night before 12am, IMO. (As in the instant right before/right at 12am right before it is the AM.) Thats why its called midNIGHT. They should have put 12am Thursday instead, obviously.

09-14-2007, 08:22 AM	#37
Lorena Unregistered Join Date: May 2004	I got an email from my boss today at 12:01am stating that a new person is starting "tomorrow". I thought of this thread and chuckled

09-14-2007, 09:34 AM	#38
Pumpy Tudors Bounty Hunter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pittsburgh, PA	The server's down today, and I'm a little bored. Does anyone want to come over and dance? __________________ No, I am not Batman, and I will not repair your food processor.

09-15-2007, 02:06 AM	#40
Vinatieri for Prez College Starter Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Seattle	Hence the reason all insurance policies start at 12:01 a.m. of a certain date. It's actually a pretty important issue for something like that.

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