random bitcoin addresses

[tgate]

I am running the MacOSX version (0.3.2.0.1BETA) of Bitcoin and I am having a odd problem. When I have Bitcoin open and just sitting there, I've periodically see a new Bitcoin address was created for my account. So far it has randomly created 6 more addresses than my main one. Does anyone know why Bitcoin is randomly creating these addresses? (It literally just created another one as I was typing this...)

[theymos]

It creates a new address whenever the current one receives a transaction.

[tgate]

Oh, what is the purpose of it creating a new address each transaction if I use the same address? I thought that was only done if I chose to do so for sending/receiving.

[theymos]

It's to encourage you to switch addresses often, which improves anonymity.

[xDan]

I wondered about that too... isn't it going to get confusing after a lot of transactions?

Is there any simple way to combine all amounts from all addresses into one?

Edit: sorry, I think this is a stupid question  Your balance is the total received from all addresses, so that is irrelevant. Addresses are just for receiving.