"Network Status" List (PokerStars)

[JrJrShortHop]

The other day I was having trouble connecting to PokerStars and I clicked on "Network Status". In addition to the "pokerstars" network, the host list also included MIT and the Universities of Cambridge, Melbourne, & Ca.

Is this unusual or am I just completely computer illiterate? (A rhetorical question to which no response is necessary.) :-)

I don't recall seeing anything like this at the other poker sites.

Can someone please explain this?

Thanks

[Red Lion]

This lets you know if you are still connected to the internet. Party does the same things w/ Yahoo.

[los_toros]

It pings other sites to ensure that it's not a transit problem.