A question about User ID numbers...

got dialup

It´s either cookie based or IP address based..

no dialup. both connections are dsl.

damn algorithms...they get you everytime

I guess it either must be a flawed algorithm or someone is hijacking in on the back of my router at one location or...since both dsl connections that I use generate dynamic ip´s then it´s likely that someone in the neighborhood also has a dsl connection that occasionally picks up my usual ip. The last scenerio seems rather unlikely since I always have the same user numbers here, without fail, which would mean that both of my dsl connections coinceedentally grab the exact same ip number every time I boot up the computer. This seems highly unlikely to me. This is what I am trying to determine.

I was under the assumption that

5 digit numbers = a dialup (numbers are a ISP)
4 digit numbers = DSL
3 digit numbers = DSL or Cable (depends on the carrier)
2 digit numbers = High Speed Cable
1 digit number = NSA or CIA probably (havent seen one of those yet though)

I could be wrong - just a theory
Count the number of digits in the number and
see if it reflects the type of service listed above.

Nope, Grendel. I have dialup and have appeared with 3, 4 or 5 digits on different days...

I´ve had up to 12 different numbers so far..


I have dial-up..

Oh well, just a thought

I always have the same UserID

Flame´s right, I have dial-up and have 7 different ID #s with 3, 4, and 5 digits.

I have dial-up. I get several different ID´s 2,3 or 4 digits, no 5´s so far.

i have hi speed cable
i got the same 4 digits every time

this is a test...only a test

two testies are better than one

The numbers are not unique to a poster. The algorithm is flawed but what does it matter really? There are a couple of other 88´s out there so if someone doesn´t like what I say I can blame it on the other 88. In fact this reply is from the other 88 ... the jerk!!

Just kidding 88. Your OK

session id´s

A session id would be a new number every time one came to the board if it follows the paradigm of client/server persistant connections would it not?

On 2 different computers I typically hav e the same 2 numbers all the time and I have not seen anyone else post here with these numbers since the user id´s came into effect. Tonight I saw a couple of posts using one of these numbers that I were not posts of mine and I am curious how this works.

The logic inherent in a known, closed system is not adding up. It raises my suspicion that there may be foul play on the router of one of the networks that I use.

If you have DHCP you get a new IP address whenever you renew your DHCP lease, or the lease expires. The time varient depends on the ISP. Since Trav states it´s an algo based on your IP, it makes sense if you log on with a different IP (such as a different computer or DHCP) you get a different user ID.

Static IP´s should always have the same user ID- Right Trav?

I have dial up and look at my number (16). I think it´s more of an order of execution. The lower you get the closer you are to the firing squad. I never see anybody in the top 10 much.
Hmmm, I better be good.

I have DSL too, but my ID changes every time I boot up.
Sometimes if I just disconnect or turn the modem off, it will give me a new ID (IP) number, but not always.

OP - check your computer´s settings:





Make sure NO is selected for autopost.

?

I am 13 because I´m thirteen.

should show up as 8876
maybe better play that one
always stays the same
I removed all cookies, lets see what happens when I post

all routers can be by passed by the right agency, WE are ALL monitored, right down to our IP adresses. Really, I have no doubts......they know where to find us, so whatch what you say.

It´s not a "flawed" algorithm, just a way of giving a measure of identifiability to users without divulging any real information about them.

It´s based on IP addresses, which are usually seen as 4 groups of digits separated by dots (although as far as the internal workings of your computer go, it´s really a single 32 bit number). I think the algorithm is taking part of the IP address, probably the bottom 2 groups of digits, and then manipulating them in some way to come up with a new ID value.

This means that if you´re on dial-up, or if your DSL ISP doesn´t give you a static IP address, you could get a different number every time you log in.

It also means that user IDs are not unique, so several people could end up with the same one. Even if you´re on a static IP (as I am) because it only uses part of the IP address, somebody else could have the same values for that part.

If I was really bored I could spend hours at home connecting and disconnecting on dial up, comparing IP address with user IDs, and probably work out the algorithm used. Luckily I´m never that bored :-)

"1 digit number = NSA or CIA probably (havent seen one of those yet though)"

I saw id #6 yesterday

As I said before, my ID is a 2, 3 or 4 digit number. Usualy it is a 4 digit number in the high 5000s (57xx, 58xx, 59xx). Occasionally, it is in the high 500s, usually 59x. The only time I´ve seen a 2 digit number, it was 60. It would be my guess that the constrained range of the first 2 digits is a result of my choice of ISP.

So, my question has been answered. Thank you. I was just worried that someone was running a proxy through the router.

I´m dial up and get different numbers and different amounts of numbers each time I come.