December 2003 - cypherpunks-legacy

Re: HOW MUCH CODE DID 'CYPHERPUNK' TIM MAY EVER WRITE?
by Joseph 'Anonymous' Howe 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

HyperReal-Anon wrote: > > >HOW MUCH CODE DID 'CYPHERPUNK' TIM MAY EVER WRITE? > > How much code have you ever written? Quite a bit actually. I recently upgraded to a dual pentium II 400 and I wanted to take advantage of the 64 bit capability (2x32 = 64, right) so I've just finished the first beta of the AOL 64 bit port. The question of Tim May's contribution to cypherpunks keeps coming up. I noticed from the comments that the original AOL8 code base was written by Tim May. I hope that clears that up. -- an anonymous AOL64 beta user

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RE: GPL & commercial software, the critical distinction (fwd)
by Jim Choate 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Forwarded message: > Date: Thu, 08 Oct 1998 06:56:06 -0700 > From: "James A. Donald" <jamesd(a)echeque.com> > Subject: RE: GPL & commercial software, the critical distinction (fwd) > Then your argument that free markets lead to monopoly collapses. No it doesn't. > You cannot have monopoly (in the sense of the power to extract monopoly of > profits) except by state intervention as has been proven by experience time > and time again. Examine history with an unbiased eye. > You have been unable to provide any examples of monopolies except those > created by state intervention, such as the railaways, and those existent > soley in your fevered imagination, such as the garment industry. Incorrect. I have listed several examples (eg meat-processing in the 1920's) where the resultant involvement of the government came *AFTER* (not before as you claim) there was evidence of wide spread abuse of the consumer and the employee of those producters. ____________________________________________________________________ The seeker is a finder. Ancient Persian Proverb The Armadillo Group ,::////;::-. James Choate Austin, Tx /:'///// ``::>/|/ ravage(a)ssz.com www.ssz.com .', |||| `/( e\ 512-451-7087 -====~~mm-'`-```-mm --'- --------------------------------------------------------------------

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RE: GPL & commercial software, the critical distinction (fwd)
by Matthew James Gering 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

The Mafia has had two primary characteristics: a) the use of force b) trade in elicit and prohibited goods and services Unless you can claim a reference to a Mafia at some time and place that had neither characteristics and a market which they monopolized which lacked any other intervention, then this all is utterly irrelevant to the discussion at hand. Matt > -----Original Message----- > > >That's inaccurate. The Mafia pre-dated the US by several > hundred years if

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Fwd: Strom Thurmond Drafts Bill Prohibiting Telegraph Porn
by Bill Stewart 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Strom Thurmond Drafts Bill Prohibiting Telegraph Porn http://www.theonion.com/onion3408/telegraphporn.html Strom Thurmond Drafts Bill Prohibiting Telegraph Porn WASHINGTON, DC--Contending that morse-coded descriptions of improperly petticoated young ladies are undermining the morals of American boys yet in short pants, U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-SC) proposed legislation Monday banning telegraph porn. "My friends, this revolutionary new 'Tele-graph' technology, by which messages are transmitted across vast distances via cable wire, is indeed a wondrous device," Thurmond told fellow members of the Senate. "But certain telegraphers--most corrupt and foul telegraphy men indeed--have debased Mr. Morse's code by using its ingenious dots and dashes to transmit porno-graphs describing flagrantly uncorseted womenfolk. I submit to you, gentlemen, that laws be passed to prevent the tele-graph device from becoming a machine of ill repute!" Thurmond's proposed legislation would establish stiff penalties for the transmission of certain obscene words and phrases along Western Union's telegram and telegraph wires, including "merry-widow," "bosom," and "underthings," as well as prohibit the use of the word "legs" instead of "limbs" when referring to the female anatomy. In certain contexts, the words"disheveled" and "heaving" would also be regarded as violations of the law, with perpetrators subject to fines of $50 or seven years hard labor on the proposed trans-American steam railroad. "As our nation recovers from the depredations and ruin of the recent War Of Northern Aggression, we must not permit the tele-graph to become the Devil's instrument," said Thurmond, 95. "Mr. Morse's messaging device must not be allowed to corrupt the hearts and minds of the Republic's youths!" [...more...]

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More Mickyshit via WebTV
by William H. Geiger III 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Forward from the SpyKing Mailing List. **************************************************************** Subject: Web TV owns your cache http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/zd/zd7.htm 10/12/98- WebTV is watching you From: Inter@ctive Week Online Microsoft Corp.'s WebTV Networks Inc. is quietly using a system-polling feature that can extrapolate subscriber information from each of its 450,000 users to better serve advertisers, said Steve Perlman, president of WebTV. The polling, which takes place nightly, uploads television and Web site viewing habits back to the system. The data makes it possible for WebTV to scrutinize not only what subscribers are watching, but also what they are clicking on or surfing away from, Perlman said. The polling results are offered to advertisers in an aggregate format; however, because results are grouped by ZIP code and contain demographic data compiled from WebTV viewers' polls, it can help them target ads more effectively. "We have a whole department that does nothing but look at the information. If someone is watching a car ad and clicks through, we can send them to the closest car dealership Web site," Perlman said. "The balance is providing advertisers with useful information while still protecting the subscribers." WebTV already protects its subscribers from Internet cookies - -- markers that track what sites people visit on the Web. "I don't think people understand the extent of this. It's recording everything they do. This is like having a video camera on them 24 hours a day," said Tom Rheinlander, an analyst at Forrester Research Inc. The polling will take a giant step into the realm of cable TV in 1999. Tele-Communications Inc. and other cable operators are expected to deploy more than 5 million set-top boxes that will ship with Windows CE and the Solo chip, bringing WebTV to cable. Today, WebTV informs its subscribers about the polling. Next year, Perlman said, customers will have the option of turning individual tracking on and off at will. This will allow advertisers to send ads to single households, not just ZIP codes. Sean Kaldor, vice president of International Data Corp.'s Consumer Device Research, said this could translate into greater ad revenue for Microsoft. "But it could also work out well for subscribers. They may get lower or free subscriptions for enabling this level of tracking," Kaldor said. "Is it going to happen? I doubt it, but it's a nice thought." By Karen J. Bannan **************************************************************** - -- - --------------------------------------------------------------- William H. Geiger III http://www.openpgp.net Geiger Consulting Cooking With Warp 4.0 Author of E-Secure - PGP Front End for MR/2 Ice PGP & MR/2 the only way for secure e-mail. OS/2 PGP 5.0 at: http://www.openpgp.net/pgp.html - --------------------------------------------------------------- Tag-O-Matic: The best way to accelerate Windows is at escape velocity. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.6.3a-sha1 Charset: cp850 Comment: Registered_User_E-Secure_v1.1b1_ES000000 iQCVAwUBNiW0Lo9Co1n+aLhhAQEx6AP+IRmscdFFOxXJBi31Xjp6r/EJJHPsv2uq yaXc+s+30yElGUFh056wr8MPJndwz76zG5ZfsDQmEG4ok9w0zT/2xeC7kve6FX4t RImLpTQxpK9R6voxIhlmXk2nCy8IcrZ74zY16ckdKopmobTT7d9Ry6pgohXAyS75 fbRhHuixtUI= =dZbh -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Use encryption to foil spooks' data harvesting, says US state dept
by Anonymous 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

http://ds.state.gov/documents/protect.doc ·Most international U.S. corporate telecommunications are not encrypted. Some countries do not allow encryption of telecommuni-cations traffic within their borders, but it should be considered where feasible for any transmission of competitive information. ·Many telecommunications transmissions will contain "key words", used to identify information of interest to a third party. A key word can be the name of a technology, product, project, or anything else which may identify the subject of the transmission. · Encryption should be the first line of defense since it is easier for foreign intelligence services to monitor lines than to place "bugs", however encryption will provide little if any security if a careful examination for audio "bugs" elsewhere in the room is not conducted.

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RE: DNA (fwd)
by Brown, R Ken 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Mathew James Gering wrote: >Monozygotic [maternal] twins do have the same DNA. Hence they >are identical. Genetically identical that is, there are non-genetic >variations. Dizygotic [fraternal] twins do not. Fraternal twins can >be visually nearly identical, but they are not genetically identical. That's right. "Monozygotic". I'd forgotten the word. >Clones on the otherhand and have identical nuclear DNA, but >are notnecessarily identical because some early development >processes rely on maternal genome material and not nuclear >DNA, and depending on the cloning process they may have >different mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Yep - if you mean Dolly-style clones derived from nuclear transplants into eggs. there was an interesting article in this week's "New Scientist" magazine (http://www.newscientist.com/ns/981010/contents.html) about the changing popular meaning of the word "clone". It was originally used for a group of plants produced vegetatively, like by cuttings or runners. Then it was extended to other organisms that can reproduce by division, like so-called protozoa Then to DNA replicated from one ancestor. And now to artificially cloned things like Dolly. If you got a Dolly-style clone made from you he or she wouldn't be your child, but your sibling and wouldn't be identical to you for all the reasons Matt pointed out. And of course because of different education/experience/upbringing et.c nto to mention the knowledge that they had been got in such a different way, which must do *something* to the psyche. (Anyone read "Cyteen" by CJ Cherryh?) Identical twins of course are a clone in the original sense, just as much as a variety of apples or a colony of bacteria are a clone. Really genetically identical, right down to the maternal contribution, because they drive from division at an early embryo stage (Sea-urchins can do it as well but insects can't...) If it were possible to re-potentiate adult cells and transform them into embryos (it works in plants - but then it has to because they can't move cells from one organ to another so any shoot tip has to be able to produce any kind of plant tissue) then we could make "real" twin-like clones of humans. If the search for the mysterious foetal stem cells pays off that might be possible (though why anyone would want to clone a human foetus is beyond me. Assume all the crude jokes about it being more fun to make another one using the traditional method). Ken Brown

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No Subject
by Anonymous 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

>From Springfield poxmarked 9 October 1998: Subject: Springfield CypherPunks Physical Meeting FPP 10-5-98 Date: Every Saturday thru Thursday (except when it rains) Time: During 'REC' Hour. Place: Recreation Cages/The Hole (TM) Nuthouse Number Nine Looney Level 'Leven Springfield, Missouri Directions: Walk to the Cell Door. Turn around, squat down and put your hands behind you, and through the Slot In The Door. Stand up after Handcuffs are in place, turn around and wait for Guard to open Door. Step into hallway and wait for Pat-Down. (Smiling, Wisecracks & Hard-Ons not advised.) Follow first Inmate & Guard. There will be a short period for everyone to cop a few butts (cigarettes only, please), if they don't have any, light them and Shoot the Shit or Settle Old Scores before the Speakers begin to Rant & Rave or Blather Aimlessly. This Weeks Topics/Speakers Saturday: Where Are Everybody's Shoes? ~ MAY, T.C. Sunday: Does Anybody Remember What We Talked About Yesterday? ~ FroomNOSPAMkin, M. Monday: I *TOLD* You They (TM) Were Out To Get Us! ~ replay.com, N@ Tuesday: If They're So Certain This Prison is Secure, Then Why Won't They Provide Us With Blue Prints? ~ Geiger, Wm III Wednesday: This Isn't What I Had In Mind When I Helped Set the Prison Standards ~ Hallam-Baker, P. I'm Sure Glad I Put In A Side Door ~ Sameer, P. I Broke Out! (But I Can't Provide You With Any Details) ~ Zimmermann, P. How many Beatings Does It Take To Change A Prison Cell Light Bulb? ~ Costner, R. I Bet Bill Gates *Stole* Everyone's Shoes! ~ Hun, A.T. I *Love* This Prison! ~ Hettinga, R. Thursday: Prisoner #7-9-12-13-15-18-5, J. is a COCK SUCKER! ~ Warden Vulis, D. (KOTM) (DON'T FORGET YOUR SHOES!)

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No Subject
by Anonymous 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

>From Springfield porkmarked 9 October 1998: Subject: Virtual Heist -- FPP #6 "I put Six Million into Hog Futures first thing this morning." Yesterday's Power Suit told his lunch companion, hoping to impress her. "Silicon Valley." Today's Power Skirt replied, almost leaning over to whisper, as if speaking loud enough for the Differently Dressed Deviate at the next table to hear would make E.F. Hutton roll over in His or Her grave. "That's where the Smart Money's going again." she continued, glancing nervously at the Differently Dressed Deviate whose Well-Tailored Suit seemed so out of place and ... well, Threatening ... in this Chicago Mercantile Exchange Lunch Room. Today's Power Skirt crossed her legs and casually admired her new Rolex as she told Yesterday's Power Suit, with a hint of disdain in her voice, "I just put *Twenty-Six Million Dollars* into ..." "Everybody Freeze!" screamed the Differently Dressed Deviate as i jumped to His or Her feet, pulling a Digital Uzi out of His or Her Well-Tailored Suit, which was a Cammo Montage of Colors Weaves & Cuts of the Power Suits of a wide span of Time & Generations. "Army of Dog!" Cammo Monty continued, sending a Shiver of Terror down the spines of the Lunch Crowd gathered today, as they were everyday, discussing (over their bag lunches) their movement of Other People's Millions into and out of various Money Market Accounts, et al. Cammo Monty pointed the Digital Uzi at the breast pocket of Yesterday's Power suit. "Let's see your Bank Book, Dick Face." Horrified, Yesterday's Power Suit shakily withdrew the Bank Book from his pocket, opened it and placed it on the table in front of him. "Just over three hundred bucks." the Army of Dog Digital Terrorist told the Lunch Crowd, causing much chuckling and snickering throughout the room. "Let's have it, Twat Face." Cammo Monty spun around pointing the Digital Uzi directly at the Bank Book of Today's Power Skirt, as she was trying to slip it out of her Briefcase, unnoticed. Reluctantly, she opened it and lay it on the table. "A hundred and twenty-eight dollars ..." Cammo Monty announced to the tittering Lunch Crowd, "and seventeen cents." i finished to a chorus of guffaws. Cammo Monty leapt onto his chair, and placed one foot on the table, waving His or Her Digital Uzi around the room, seeing the Fear (TM) in the Eyes of each Wanna Be Money Kontroller in the room - thinking that they might be the next to have their finances exposed. "Today's Power Skirt," Cammo Monty told the Lunch Crowd, "bought her Rolex on a Payment Plan," a shudder went through the room, "with a *ten percent*," i spit out the words as she began to moan, "down-payment." Today's Power skirt collapsed in tears ... "You Fucking Morons (TM)!" Cammo Monty screamed at the group, causing them to cringe in shame. "You are handling Other People's Money. It's not *your* money, you idiots, so Wake The Fuck Up (TM) and stop pretending that it is ... to yourself and to each other." <J <J Across town, one of Cammo Monty's A0D Non-Conspirators was making a similar speech to a Lunch Crowd of Federal BureauCraps. "Sunshine is the best disinfectant." the Beautiful Army of Bitch Terrorist nagged the whimpering BureauCraps, for the hundredth times, as i laid yet another Digital Printout on the Overhead Projector. "This is the amount of National Debt that is a result of you Fuck Wads holding meetings to discuss the agendas of future meetings." Beautiful Bitch snarled at the Group. "This," i continued, slapping down a picture of a Family With 2.5 Children onto the Overhead Projector, "is who is *paying* for your Incompetence & Departmental Squabbling." "Don't look away!" the Beautiful Bitch screamed, using the Zoom Feature to Highlite the Child with no arms or legs in the picture. "It's NOT YOUR MONEY you Dumb Assholes!" i continued to nag at the BureauCraps. "But you're not content to force the Taxpayers to pay An Arm & A Leg to support your Wasteful Spending - now you want *Two Arms & Two Legs* ..." "CHILDREN'S LEGS!" the Beautiful Bitch raged at the terrified BureauCraps.

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Disk (block device) encryption for Linux and *BSD?
by HyperReal-Anon 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Apologies for the interruption, I'm looking for disk / partition encryption for Unix-alikes, especially Linux, OpenBSD and/or NetBSD. My websearch has been less than satisfactory - I found outdated Linux kernel patches for encryption loopback, and I distinctly remember reading about a serious bug in the use (or lack thereof) of key material in this code. Do patches for a current Linux kernel exist, and have all the known bugs been fixed? Also, there seems to be no version of Marutukku about that I can actually get to work on *BSD. Is Marutukku still being developed? Generally, is there a good page that tracks disk encryption for Unix? I'm currently using cfs here and there, and I have a specific question about that package, too: Does the cypherpunks list trust the patches that add Blowfish support to cfs? Questions questions..

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