[thelist] IP numbers

[Ken Kogler]

> If the IP numbers are the same, does this mean that it was the same
> computer that both messages came from?  Or, could that IP be allocated
> to another computer in the same city?

The IP number is assigned to an ISP, typically in large volumes
(128.192.60.x, for example -- that's 256 of em). That ISP could choose
to permanently assign one of them to a customer (static IP), or keep it
in a pool of IP addresses that get randomly assigned to each customer
when they connect to the ISP.

You'd have to contact the ISP and see who was using the IP at the
time/date of the comment's posting.

If you have another way of verifying that this guy has a static IP (such
as just asking him :) ), then you can be reasonably assured that the
person who made the two comments are one and the same.

HTH,
--Ken