Hurry up, I'm going home in 20 minutes :o)

Shoot! I can't find it under my postings; I must have asked the question in someone else's thread that I can't remember the title of. The person explained that it wasn't as simple as having different numbers. That even though we do........ there was something else that complicated that fact, and that Fodors could not easily block just one poster without causing problems for others. I just can't remember who said was or exactly what they said. I'll keep thinking........8}

I think Faina is referring to the IP address. And yes, multiple people can (over time) have the same IP address.

For example, person #1 turns on their computer and dials up to the internet company whose name starts with A. A modem on the other end answers that call and the internet connection is established. When person #1 requests web pages from other computers, those other computers only know person #1 as a number. That number is called an IP address. Internet Service Providers (ISP's) often own a range of these addresses and assign them to their users as they connect to the net.

IP addresses are expensive to purchase. An ISP will only buy as many as they need. So, getting back to our scenario, when person #1 disconnects their call to the ISP and person #2 calls in, person #2 may use the same IP address that person #1 had when they were connected.

Website operators may "ban" an IP address if they find that someone from that address is trying to hack their system or is just causing general mayhem for them. It isn't very effective because the hacker can very easily change their IP address but some website operators will try to block them anyway.

I doubt that Fodors is blocking IP addresses. It's very simple for them to remove the little text that allows you to post a reply while leaving the post online for others to read. It's also very simple for them to remove a user or deny them access to posting.

And yes Faina, computer geeks do travel! ;) My wife and I are leaving on our second trip to Australia next Friday.

Can anyone tell me my ESP address? :))

I wish Fodor's would go back and limit some of my old posts! What the H was I thinkin'? :-"

JohnInMiami, you said:

"It's also very simple for them to remove a user or deny them access to posting."

How so? I'm not disputing, I just don't understand how. Can't a user always come back with a new name, and open an account with a new e-mail address?

hmmm, smarty pants me just had to kick it up a notch, and had no trouble posting to that other post!

The large people in airline seats thread is not frozen. Underhill has recently posted interesting news there about what has just happened at Southwest, the "one airline" attila refers to above which has been threatening large people with being charged double (which, of course, never meant that much of anyone would actually get charged double, but that anyone who felt the policy might be applied to them, or who wanted to travel with such a person, would reserve with a competitor.) Their president resigned suddenly yesterday after the announcement of an unexpected substantial drop in earnings.

Amazing how some people feel obligated to jump in to almost every topic even if they have no clue what they are talking about !!

While me may not agree on everything(which makes this board entertaining), whom among us can cast judgement about relevance? Gee, I was half expecting amusement park seats to be brought into the controversy, or trains or a variety of other limited space seats. It is Friday, Rusty..... relax.

jetset1, maybe we need a jug of that Sweet Tea around here. May help sweeten some dispositions, huh? ;;)

Crusty Rusty-I never let the facts or knowledge get in the way of my opinions.

Seldom correct but NEVER in doubt![-X

Bonniebroad, you are a true lady.. now how can I send you fish or a true Alaskan thank you for all your warmth and recipes? Unfortunately, there have been a couple incidents in the news about people losing their prized salmon catches while in the coolers between check-in and arrival. I'll Fed -Ex.
Do you grow rhubarb? We have the luscious combo of rhubarb/strawberry/raspberry at the farmers' markets. Smoked wild meats, etc. Wish you were headed up this way. I'd buy a truckload of ingredients and have my best friends get some real cooking lessons from you. Then we could relax with our sweet tea, play some backyard badmitton, watch the moose saunter through and listen to the pesky squirrels plotting their nighttime special ops! J.

Ooohhh, I recognise that tone!

Jetset1, now that sounds like a winner.........:-) What a picture you conjure up! Wouldn't I love to see a moose!

I don't know if we grow rhubarb in these parts but I love the stuff. Would love to come to Alaska - we could whip up a lovely strawberry/rhubarb cobbler, couldn't we? To consume after your yummy smoked salmon ....... thank you for your kind words! ((f)) ((f)) ((f)) to you...

Jetset1, no, we don't grow that rhubarb here in the South. Too warm........ Oh, well, just mail me a box, girl!:-)

(Did I tell you my great-niece is up there in the army, and we get a kick out of her writing about seeing bears, moose, etc., when she goes horseback riding???)

Do you thnk we need a "Rusty alert" icon or something like that to attach to a thread like an asterisk? Maybe somehing to symbolize a sour dispostion like a lemon, a lump of coal or a pic of Scrooge. :S- OK Rusty, now jump after the bait as usual. LOL!