December 2003 - cypherpunks-legacy

Re: Best Computer School?
by Erp 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

On Wed, 29 Jan 1997, Dr.Dimitri Vulis KOTM wrote: > ichudov(a)algebra.com writes: > > > moscow state university in russia is not bad also. > > > > they teach lots of theory... which is good. > > > > - Igor. > > > > Do they have a master's program in computer science? :-) --- I looked up on Moscow State University the other day, after having seen the message which brought this question. So yes, they do have a Master's program in Computer Science, at least they claim to have one. Erp > > --- > > Dr.Dimitri Vulis KOTM > Brighton Beach Boardwalk BBS, Forest Hills, N.Y.: +1-718-261-2013, 14.4Kbps >

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Re: Fighting the cybercensor
by jim bell 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

At 09:40 PM 1/27/97 -0500, Phillip M. Hallam-Baker wrote: > > >jim bell <jimbell(a)pacifier.com> wrote in article <5ch9f2$cuu(a)life.ai.mit.edu>... > >> Look, I've proposed what I consider to be a remarkably consistent method to >> prevent the kind of political tyranny that you criticize, and I don't see >> any recognition of this fact. > >Thats because its a whacko solution that has no credibility >or consistency. "I love you too! B^) Question: What is a "whacko solution"? Why do you believe AP qualifies? Can you list any other "solutions" which are, indeed, "solutions" which are NOT "whacko" by your definition? (I'm trying to determine whether or not you even agree that there is a problem!) Let me pose an issue here by counterexample: Suppose there was a plantation, containing a master and his slaves. You are told that the slaves are "unhappy". (They're unhappy because they're slaves!!!) That's a "problem." Okay, let me propose that there are at least two broad "solutions" to this "problem": First, change the working conditions just enough to make the slaves acceptably happy. Or, second, eliminate the slavery altogether. Both are "solutions". The first, obviously, is only a "solution" from the stanpoint of the master. The second appears to be only a "solution" from the standpoint of the slaves, since the master obviously doesn't want to lose his slaves! Could you legitimately call the second solution a "whacko solution"? (It would be, from the limited standpoint of the master.) How about the first? That's the problem with using such a poorly-defined term as "whacko" to describe anything, particularly when many people don't agree. And here's a question: What do you mean by "credibility"? I've explained it in enough detail to convince a rather substantial number of intelligent people that it is likely to be possible, and to some it sounds like it is desireable. >If anyone tried to set up such a market and a price went out >on any of the heads of state fantasized about Mr Bell would be >dead as a doornail in a week. A claim which doesn't disprove the functionality of AP one whit. In fact, quite the opposite: If AP was, indeed, non-functional, then nobody would bother with me at all. The fact that you think they would shows that you believe AP threatens SOMEBODY. This means that your arguments, as minimal as they are, are internally contradictory. They simply don't hold together. Jim Bell jimbell(a)pacifier.com

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Re: Getting into MIT is impossible
by Erp 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

> I noted with some interest, but little surprise, that the guy claiming MIT > required a 4.0 GPA and a 1600 combined SAT score could barely spell, and > had major problems making a coherent point. Methinks this is why MIT > rejected him, not his lack of a "1600." ... Not to point out something obvious about this but the person who wrote this did not have "guts" enough or, just likes his privacy a bit more than the average person, to come out and write this non-anonymously. But since that isn't why I am writing this, I'll leave off of it for now. ... The reason I am writing this is because I am "the guy claiming MIT required a 4.0 GPA and a 1600 combined SAT score." I was informed this by my school counselor, along with many other things which are as equally "obnoxious" to my possible college acceptances. -- I did point out though, in my letter, that my connection was experiencing sever lag for some reason. I did narrow that down to being because my servers call in server and account server where on two different networks. Another point to this is that in my family I am the best speller. It is possibly genetic, but it is mostly because of where I grew up and the other "backwoodsy" things of my "youth". Now I realise this sounds like a bunch of excuses and such, and yes I guess it is, but I can if I sit down and think about something for a milli second longer than normal, and don't let my left hand out race my right hand, type things with propper grammer and spelling to my current extent. Now if the one who did post that "anonymously" would be so kind as to say such "brave" statements outloud without his or her precious "anonymousity" it would be much appreciated. Other than that, I do believe that is about it to this later. Goodnight and fare you "well" Erp ps -- please excuse the quotes, I was using them for mor eaccenting and well for words that fit in my own way. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Check my poetry page if you would like to see more of my bad spelling and horrendous grammer at: http://www.digiforest.com/~erp/poetry.html

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Re:re : Best Computer School?
by iamme 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

what about purdue and caltech ? anyone has Carnegie Mellon University (C.M.U.) in Pittsburgh www ? he he man > From owner-cypherpunks(a)toad.com Wed Jan 29 14:57 SGT 1997 > Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 20:23:53 -0500 > From: Matthew Toth <mst114(a)psu.edu> > To: SpyKing <spyking(a)thecodex.com> > Cc: cypherpunks(a)toad.com > Subject: Re: Best Computer School? > > MIT is one the best schools in the country for C.S. > Close behind is Carnegie Mellon University (C.M.U.) in Pittsburgh, > PA. (the folks who put out CERT.) Not sure how much Crypto they do, though. > >

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Re: News report RE:RSA Data Security Conference, pointer
by Declan McCullagh 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

I don't think CNET has any idea what they're talking about. Perhaps they mean the Burns bill? I was over at Burns' office yesterday, and Pro-CODE hasn't been reintroduced yet -- they're looking for more co-sponsors -- so that's not even correct. *shrug* I have a report on this at netlynews.com in the Afterword section, BTW. -Declan On Wed, 29 Jan 1997 aaron(a)herringn.com wrote: > Report on RSA data security conference. Mentions 'Legislation in Congress > could ban mandatory key storage', anyone know what they're referring to? > > http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,7437,00.html > > > >

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Re: Fighting the cybercensor
by Dr.Dimitri Vulis KOTM 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

"Phillip M. Hallam-Baker" <hallam(a)ai.mit.edu> writes: > The Cold War was not won by the arms race, it was won in > Eastern Europe which was never a major participant. The main > instrument that won it was West German TV which broadcast > pictures of supermarkets with full shelves into the homes > of East Germans every night. The viewers could see that it > was not mere propaganda and their relatives confirmed the > fact. As a result the East German guards on the Berlin wall > simply decided to leave their posts one night. Do a lot of Americans really believe such things? --- Dr.Dimitri Vulis KOTM Brighton Beach Boardwalk BBS, Forest Hills, N.Y.: +1-718-261-2013, 14.4Kbps

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Re: New export controls to include code signing applications
by pgut001＠cs.auckland.ac.nz 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

The Men in Black made Lucky Green <shamrock(a)netcom.com> write: >[Listing specific software prohibited from export] >"c.2. "Software" to certify "software" controlled by 5D002.c.1; " > >And, btw, virus checkers are also prohibited from export. Makes you wonder. > >"c.3. "Software" designed or modified to protect against malicious computer >damage, e.g., viruses;" > >That includes every firewall product, every virus checker, every data security >product, and this regardless if the product uses crypto or not. The new >regulations go way beyond controlling crypto. The USG, in a massive power >grip, has put data security as a whole on the export control list. These aren't new regulations, they're old regulations which have resurfaced. I've managed to obtain a copy of part of the old pre-Wassenaar COCOM regulations, which contain the magic lines: 5.D.2.c Specific "software" as follows: 1. "Software" having the characteristics, or performing or simulating the functions of the equipment embargoed by 5.A.2 or 5.B.2. 2. "Software" to certify "software" embargoed by 5.D.2.c.1. 3. "Software" designed or modified to protect against malicious computer damage, e.g. viruses. This is from the October 1991 version. By October 1996 this had changed to: 5D002 c Specific "software" as follows: 1. "Software" having the characteristics, or performing or simulating the functions of the equipment embargoed by 5A002 or 5B002. 2. "Software" to certify "software" specified in 5D002.c.1. It looks like someone used the old COCOM regs as the basis for the EAR rather than the newer Wassenaar ones. The two are almost identical anyway except for a few minor points. It's likely that the anti-virus clause is due to bureaucratic bungling rather than malicious intent. Peter.

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Re: libsln.htm -- Is Libel a Crime?
by jim bell 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

At 11:20 AM 1/29/97 -0500, aga wrote: >On Tue, 28 Jan 1997, jim bell wrote: >> One obvious problem with the LACK of a criminal libel statute, from the >> standpoint of the "government-controlling-class," or "the bigshots," is that >> it's impossible to sue (and collect from) a (comparatively) poor person for >> defaming him...but it's still possible to put him in jail. Civil libel is, >> therefore, essentially useless to a government agent as a means of keeping >> the masses in line. >> >> >> Myself, I believe that libel should be eliminated as a cause of action in >> civil cases as well as it has, de facto, in the criminal area. If anything, >> the ability to sue for libel makes things worse: There is an illusion that >> this is easy and straightforward, if not economical. It is neither. The >> result is that people are actually MORE likely to believe a printed >> falsehood because they incorrectly assume that if it wasn't true, it >> couldn't be printed. >Interesting analysis here, but remember; libel is just one kind of >"defamation" and an action for defamation will always be actionable. Sure about that?!? >The constitution gives us the right to call the President a >motherfucker any time we want to, yes... >and it also gives the motherfucker >the right to sue. While admittedly it has been a long time since I've read the entire US Constitution, I am not under the impression that it does what you claim. Could you be more specific about the particular section which does this? > Sueing is better than fighting in the streets. For the LAWYERS, who are paid regardless of the outcome, that certainly appears to be the case. Jim Bell jimbell(a)pacifier.com

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Re: RC5-12/32/5 contest solved
by jim bell 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

At 09:37 PM 1/28/97 -0800, stewarts(a)ix.netcom.com wrote: >Any bets on whether the $5000 RC5-12/32/6 contest will be solved >before the www.rsa.com contest status web page is updated? :-) > >Or how long before someone in the government starts talking about >how 56 bits takes 65,000 times as long to solve as 40 bits, >which is 26 years for a whole building full of computers, >and even 48 bits ought to take a month and a half for a whole >building full of computers (or supercomputers, if they hype it up....)? This, as I pointed out long ago, is why I didn't think a "crack the DES key" contest is necessarily a good idea, at least if it's ordinary Von-Neumann-type computers doing the searching. It makes DES look artificially good. Assuming it's possible to build a chip which tests solutions in a massively-pipelined mode, the 400,000 or so solutions per second tried (for what is probably a $2000 machine) would probably increase to 100 million per second per chip (at a cost of maybe $100 per chip, if implemented in parallel). That's 5000 times more economical, which would translate to a find in 2-3 days if the same dollars in hardware were invested. _THAT_ is the break we should hope the media publicizes, not the one that will eventually happen when accomplished by PCs or Suns, etc. Jim Bell jimbell(a)pacifier.com

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RE: Internet, Countries, Nationalism, etc.
by blanc 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

From: P.J. Westerhof >Franconics... Or Lesbonics of course, ................................................................. le femme fatale .. Blanc

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