moved but still receiving content based on old location

soshiv · 12-14-2008, 10:04 PM

I recently moved from Texas to Louisiana and when I was in Texas I used to notice a lot of websites showing me location based content relevant to the city I was living in. Now, I have moved to Louisiana and even purchased a brand new Mac. When I set it up and went to mess around with the widgets, they are defaulting to my old city in Texas! How is this possible? Its a whole new computer.. I know a lot of websites can show you content based off of your ip address, but how am I getting content as if I am still in my old city even with a new computer and a new internet provider?

**johnwill** · 12-15-2008, 09:14 AM

Can't say, your IP address indicates you're in the US.

FWIW, I have a similar issue. I recently upgraded my Verizon FiOS service, and as a result I have a new IP address in a totally different range. Now Google thinks I'm in Germany, and I'm actually in the US.

It may be simply that their database is not up to date about IP vs. Location.

soshiv · 12-15-2008, 01:54 PM

I do recall upgrading the firmware on my router while in my old city, could my router store some type of geographic info that the computer is referencing?

**johnwill** · 12-15-2008, 04:38 PM

I've never heard of the router storing anything location specific, and it sure doesn't appear in any specifications I've ever seen. They determine the location from the IP address, which is subject to database errors.

soshiv · 12-15-2008, 04:55 PM

i guess the reason i find it strange is that its the EXACT city i used to live in.. that would be a very strange coincidence..

**johnwill** · 12-16-2008, 08:59 AM

Hard to say, I'd start by contacting the site and see how they come up with the city.

12-14-2008, 10:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
soshiv Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 57 OS: XP	moved but still receiving content based on old location I recently moved from Texas to Louisiana and when I was in Texas I used to notice a lot of websites showing me location based content relevant to the city I was living in. Now, I have moved to Louisiana and even purchased a brand new Mac. When I set it up and went to mess around with the widgets, they are defaulting to my old city in Texas! How is this possible? Its a whole new computer.. I know a lot of websites can show you content based off of your ip address, but how am I getting content as if I am still in my old city even with a new computer and a new internet provider?

12-15-2008, 09:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,748 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: moved but still receiving content based on old location Can't say, your IP address indicates you're in the US. FWIW, I have a similar issue. I recently upgraded my Verizon FiOS service, and as a result I have a new IP address in a totally different range. Now Google thinks I'm in Germany, and I'm actually in the US. It may be simply that their database is not up to date about IP vs. Location. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-15-2008, 01:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
soshiv Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 57 OS: XP	Re: moved but still receiving content based on old location I do recall upgrading the firmware on my router while in my old city, could my router store some type of geographic info that the computer is referencing?

12-15-2008, 04:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,748 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: moved but still receiving content based on old location I've never heard of the router storing anything location specific, and it sure doesn't appear in any specifications I've ever seen. They determine the location from the IP address, which is subject to database errors. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-15-2008, 04:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
soshiv Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 57 OS: XP	Re: moved but still receiving content based on old location i guess the reason i find it strange is that its the EXACT city i used to live in.. that would be a very strange coincidence..

12-16-2008, 08:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,748 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: moved but still receiving content based on old location Hard to say, I'd start by contacting the site and see how they come up with the city. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience