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isn't a bit long for a server upgrade ? shouldn't be there better strategies for quick switching ?

Yes they are and they're applied to critical systems. I doubt HN is regarded as such. Especially if it would require splitting backend/frontend servers and replicating both to do step by step upgrade of each component.

Alternatively you know... you can just accept that the service will be down for an hour or two and most people wouldn't even notice without this post.

Are you paying for this?

What would you say if Google.com was down for 2 hours due to a server upgrade? Do you pay Google for searching?

Bonus points if you do actually. Their search API is limited to 100 a day, which is not a lot.

If you're using google search, you're paying google in ad impressions.

And what do you think these[1] are? HN has ads, they're just less conspicuous.

[1]: https://news.ycombinator.com/jobs

Aren't those free for Y Combinator companies? Also you could just say the entire site is an ad for Y Combinator.

This actually confirmed my thought, it was not a money related issue ..

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5239673

Reply on news.ycombinator.com