Peter Crowther wrote:

> Hmph.  The two are not always compatible, and the comms technology in much
> of the rest of the developed world is years behind the US.

Static IP addresses are not necessary for connectivity (though it makes
things easier).

For nearly-always-connected services (like ADSL (or cable?)) you can get
DNS resolution by going to someone like dyndns.org or dhs.org. These services
work by you telling them when your IP address changes; they then update their
DNS records. So you'd have (for instance) a name like "myputer.dyndns.org".

For dial-up users, this becomes a bit annoying, since you'd have to send them
your new IP address every time you dial up and it changes. However, this can
be automated.

-- 
Ned Konz
currently: Stanwood, WA
email:     ned at bike-nomad.com
homepage:  http://bike-nomad.com