There isn't much information on the NASA website about built-in holds (that I could find) but a bit of an explanation can be found here: Countdown Clock & Time to Liftoff
"Sometime built-in holds are included to allow synchronization with other countdown clocks (for example, a payload countdown). Other built-in holds allow people to take a break. The built-in holds vary significantly from day-launch missions to night-launch missions."
"The shuttle countdown clock typically starts counting at about 43 hours."
It is totally about trust. As you say, Admin Assistants, Executive Assistants, Office Administrators, whoever you have - these people often have access to the Boss's mail, calendar, contacts, etc. In many offices I've worked at, these are also often the lowest-paid employees in the place.
As a sysadmin, I certainly do have the ability to read anyone's mail. First, I don't have the time, and second, these people trust me. If they found out that I was reading their mail, they would no longer trust me, and I would probably no longer have a job.
Slashdot Mirror
There isn't much information on the NASA website about built-in holds (that I could find) but a bit of an explanation can be found here: Countdown Clock & Time to Liftoff
"Sometime built-in holds are included to allow synchronization with other countdown clocks (for example, a payload countdown). Other built-in holds allow people to take a break. The built-in holds vary significantly from day-launch missions to night-launch missions."
"The shuttle countdown clock typically starts counting at about 43 hours."
It is totally about trust. As you say, Admin Assistants, Executive Assistants, Office Administrators, whoever you have - these people often have access to the Boss's mail, calendar, contacts, etc. In many offices I've worked at, these are also often the lowest-paid employees in the place. As a sysadmin, I certainly do have the ability to read anyone's mail. First, I don't have the time, and second, these people trust me. If they found out that I was reading their mail, they would no longer trust me, and I would probably no longer have a job.