ASP.NET Time Drop Downs and AM/PM Issue

Question

I've searched already for some ideas on this but the answers were totally code-based; my problem is also a HCI/Usability issue:

https://stackoverflow.com/search?q=[asp.net]+time+am+pm

I have an events form with a calendar. Then I have three drop down lists for Hours, Mins and AM/PM. But technically, 12 Noon and 12 Midnight are not AM or PM, correct?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12-hour_clock#Confusion_at_noon_and_midnight

I have thought about adding "Noon" and "Midnight" to the AM/PM drop down but I would be assuming that the user would know the correct usage (they won't). I could create the AM/PM as a cascading drop down based on the hour selected?

There are probably many ways to hack this up - but I'm looking for suggestions that take usability into account - simple and elegant solution anyone?

Answer 1

Simple solution would be not to use an ambiguous system, use the 24-hour clock instead and the problem goes away.

Answer 2

In modern western society 12:00am refers to midnight and 12pm to noon. the simple solution we normally employ is to avoid any form of confusion and use a 24:00 based time instead. It also results in one less drop down to select from in this case.