Not so much a dirty secret - more proof the myth doesn't always work...
Me and a mate had been playing a few frames of snooker, I'd gone to get some more beer while he collected the balls to return etc.

Arriving at the bar, I watched the owner randomly pushing buttons on the computer which controlled the lights (some ancient Amstrad I recall). After a minute or so watching I asked what the problem was.

"It's stopped working." came the precise reply any IT guy knows so well.
"Ah," I say wisely - "Did you try turning it off and on again? usually these things can be cleared with a reboot..."
Owner doesn't look convinced until my mate appears (happens he works for IBM as a site engineer) - of course he agrees with me and suggests he try a reboot.

Anyhoo, we pay for our snooker and go on our way.

Couple of weeks later we go back for another game - the computer is still sitting there with it's dark screen.

"Still not working?" I ask (I'm so good at spotting these details)

"Not since a couple of pricks told me to turn it off..." came the reply.

Amazing how good your poker face can be in some situations...

Length? well, it was about 15 years ago and they still use a pen and paper to calculate table times
( snee held his breath since, Tue 2 Oct 2007, 15:54, Reply)