[mino]

> I don't think straight hilbert curves:IP ranges are the best mapping,

It is a good idea, as IP ranges are a simple (discrete) linear range.

However, maybe this is not the best explanation:

> The problem with displaying IP addresses, is that they are a single dimensional, they only move up and down, however humans are not good at looking at a large amount of single dimensional points.

But rather: Hilbert curves are great because it ensures that every two consecutive points are contiguous in space (i.e., no gaps).