US tech support outfit seeks pocket sniffer

Attention all IT freelancers with a couple of spare hours and a fully-functioning olfactory system: US tech support outfit Computer Assistant recently issued a request for a highly specialised onsite service: SERVICE REQUEST # 1012646 REQUESTED BY: Pablo at Computer Assistant REPLY TO: [e-mail] JOB …

[Anonymous Coward]

what is..

Um, just so I'm 100% clear... what is pocket sniffing? Is it as it sounds?

[Matt]

re what is...

yeah, its what you do when you want to troubleshoot your network. You pop down your datacentre, fish out the on-ste IT geek and get him/her to turn out their pockets for a bit of sniffing. Usually a 'wet' smell signifies a broken hand dryer in the toilets.

[Dan P]

Or possibly....

"Usually a 'wet' smell signifies a broken hand dryer in the toilets."

Or possibly that they've been relieving themselves behind the racking!

[Mike Holden]

And therein lies the phrase ...

And therein lies the phrase "look at the racking on that"

[Brian]

ahhh

Ahh, so it actually is effectively frisking staff (for whatever reason).

You do realise, though, that the more this happens... the more 'high tech' that staff will go!

[Anonymous Coward]

One way to find the culprit

Are you sure the job isn't for the HMRC depot near Coventry?

[David Eddleman]

I think I know what they want...

They want a *packet* sniffer. The clod who sent the e-mail isn't tech-literate enough and mistook "packet" for "pocket". In other words, they want someone to run Ethereal on promiscuous mode.

Now where's my cheque?

[Andy Bright]

No worries

I know some people in China that can help with that, and will only charge you 3 legitimate credit card numbers for doing so.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: I think I know what they want...

A *packet* sniffer! Of course! What were we all thinking???

[yeah, right.]

tisket

A tisket, a tasket, a pocket, a packet.

I wonder if the packet they want sniffed is a trouser snake?

[Anonymous Coward]

Sniffing .....

Each to his own whether sniffing a pocket or packet, but this reminds me of the hilarity one day when the prettiest girl in the building sent out an email trying to sell her exercise bike....

[Austin Troxell]

No, No.. He really meant "pOcket"

Of course, more than just a sniff will be necessary. The tech will need to request a complete pocket dump. It goes without saying that he will also need to closely examine the "headers" of "I Pee" streams!