December 2003 - cypherpunks-legacy

Re: Bypassing the Digicash Patents
by azur＠netcom.com 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

>> When one combines the transactional economic advantages of DBC: no customer >> accounts, statement generation, little or no need for dispute resolution >> and the economies of using the Net for settlement, with the still >> considerable marketing costs, the likely differential between DBC and >> CC/ACH is closer to one order of magnitude at best. > >Again, I still hold out for three or four. > >> This is still >> considerable, however, and if properly branded and marketed could >> significantly displace current competition, for lower value transactions. >> The overhead of CC discounts is keenly watched by merchants. If a trusted >> DBC issuer/agent offered 1.0% fees (especially to on-line merchants) it >> would get noticed quickly. > >Agreed. However, when it happens, it'll probably be more significant than >that. I think removing 3 or 4 extra zeroes from the status quo is probably >what people should try to do when developing this stuff. I think that the >technology offers us at least that much slack, and probably more. > >Remember, it *is* supposed to change the world. :-). If I grant that you're right that DBCs will be 3-4 orders of magnitude cheaper than the book-entry approaches, and I'm ready yet, there is still the issue of whether such savings can be quickly passed on to the merchant and consumer, and thus spark this revoltion. Consider this, if a DBC-based system were to garner 3% (about what it might take to get noticed by the consumer, retail and business markets) of the GDP's $4 trillion in transactions, or about $120 billion, and the transaction fees were $0.0025, this would generate about $300 million in fees. This is about what Western Union International generates in fees, a very respectable sized business. But how much marketing and branding expenditures would it take to get there? All financial products which attempted to reach a broad market and have a significant impact have required, in the past, significant up-front marketing expenses (VISA succeeded because BankAmericard spent in the $10s million per year range). Unless the Net will enable a 3-4 orders of magnitude reduction in such expenses, amounting to an historic bootstrap, it is difficult to see how this will occur without a white knight. A similar situation is occuring in cellular. Prices are plummeting because many new companies are building out competitive PCS networks and forward pricing their services to gain market share and economies of scale. These new players have deep pockets (or are backed by those with deep pockets). To wrench away the bank and credit card francshise from the established players may require similar sized investments. --Steve PGP mail preferred Fingerprint: FE 90 1A 95 9D EA 8D 61 81 2E CC A9 A4 4A FB A9 Key available on BAL server, http://www-swiss.ai.mit.edu/~bal/pks-toplev.html --------------------------------------------------------------------- Steve Schear | tel: (702) 658-2654 CEO | fax: (702) 658-2673 First ECache Corporation | 7075 West Gowan Road | Suite 2148 | Las Vegas, NV 89129 | Internet: azur(a)netcom.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- "I know not what instruments others may use, but as for me, give me Ecache or give me debt."

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Re: Bypassing the Digicash Patents
by Secret Squirrel 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

On Sun, 4 May 1997, Dr.Dimitri Vulis KOTM wrote: > As usual, Greg the C2Net shill writes total bullshit about things he > knows nothing about. Try paying cash at Radio Shack, and see if they > ask for your name and address for their mailing list. I guess Greg > is not the type to buy anything at Radio Shack. What a fitting > employee for C2Net. Not a problem Dr. Vulis, whenever I purchase items from Radio Shack, I use your name and address and phone number. I hope you don't mind receiving extra catalogues. It is after all, all in the good name of privacy and protecting my uncoloured identity. VulvisMonger

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Pro-Crypto Arguments
by Alan Olsen 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- The current line of argument in supporting crypto seems to fall into the "software as speech" (ala First Amendment) or Crypto as munition (and invoking the Second Amendment). I think of Crypto as "Freedom of Language". Imagine the uproar that would be caused if Jesse Helms (or one of his ilk) tried to pass a law that all conversations over the net or phone lines had to be in English. (Or at least in a language understood by the cops.) The amount of uproar would be incredible. The courts have already ruled against this form of "language escrow". Such rulings should apply to encrypted communications as well. Software is just the mechanism for the language of cryptography, it is not the language itself. Just as in spoken languages, special knowledge is needed to understand the "ideas" being communicated. The algorithm is (in part) that language. (But in this case, you are able to speak to only those you intend, not to the world at large.) Of course, the question is whether this line of reasoning will work under the current regime. Maybe, maybe not. It seems a better argument than the ones I have seen so far... Depends on how far the deck has been stacked against us. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 4.5 iQEVAwUBM266uOQCP3v30CeZAQHU4wf9GePLzvloFC/zpM+uAmdzq+wCzASUt/vH 0GP4v9DwLTYtWDp4O/o/ietk1tej4G/d1h2owpdHsGT1qkUXWIG8XUjWsTPblPsa 0uS097K+fB7fP7+LUyrGWkaCwNMfqQ3gErhVfoRsQ6lJRhWE+6JiIcdgxC1OY7lg kknM3//51Avbk+7CcVH+flyvL7uKWFHJdKpthiSSfKSg9nKJrLUQJxOQaK7xkpXH 4oFEKF1EApa2gFIPyTEM7Nd1Dp2PzcdNZrVHn2BmMP7eXeN4Jfkwoc31r95DPwpI L2uWEeRpNEs61qNtM8/gkKMXk5fP/vLl8ujDHaYXDOP6dA3CnSbGOA== =aN2p -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- --- | "Mi Tio es infermo, pero la carretera es verde!" | |"The moral PGP Diffie taught Zimmermann unites all| Disclaimer: | | mankind free in one-key-steganography-privacy!" | Ignore the man | |`finger -l alano(a)teleport.com` for PGP 2.6.2 key | behind the keyboard.| | http://www.ctrl-alt-del.com/~alan/ |alan(a)ctrl-alt-del.com|

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FOIA results
by Greg Broiles 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Got two FOIA things in the mail today: 1. ~ 200 pp of "LIST OF DUAL USE GOODS AND TECHNOLOGIES AND MUNITIONS LIST" re my Wassenaar FOIA. It's much too long to type or scan. Am planning to type the crypto and software relevant parts when I get some free time. This looks like the document I was expecting. 2. A letter from the NSA in response to my FOIA request re cypherpunks - they want a check for close to $2400 before they'll do a search of their records. I'm not sending them $2400. Am considering appealing their denial of my fee waiver, and/or making a more carefully tailored request. I'll probably scan this within the next few days. -- Greg Broiles | US crypto export control policy in a nutshell: gbroiles(a)netbox.com | http://www.io.com/~gbroiles | Export jobs, not crypto.

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Re: Controversial Commercial ISP for Remailer?
by Dave Hayes 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Mr. Arachelian writes: > Well, here's a thought. Let's pool some cash together and go off and > spam cyberpromo from the inside. Let's get an account there, turn it > around and spam everyone and their mother at cyberpromo and their > respective subdomains. Wouldn't that be sweet revenge? If vengance is your concern, this is a good idea. Neither vengance nor righteousness is my concern, however. Judgementally speaking, if you spam, you may not continue to condemn spammers and be consistent. ------ Dave Hayes - Altadena CA, USA - dave(a)jetcafe.org Freedom Knight of Usenet - http://www.jetcafe.org/~dave/usenet "If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment." - Marcus Aurelius, 121-180

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Re: Pro-Crypto Arguments
by geeman 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Such was the thrust of my question posed to the Senate hearings via netcast: "Is secret speed protected speech" For if not, then it is a simple matter by extension to require that all communications be in the lingua franca of the listener, obviously preposterous. The respondent seemed to think that 'secret speech' is protected, but obviously there are counterarguments. At 09:59 PM 5/5/97 -0700, Alan Olsen wrote: >-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- > >The current line of argument in supporting crypto seems to fall into the >"software as speech" (ala First Amendment) or Crypto as munition (and >invoking the Second Amendment). > >I think of Crypto as "Freedom of Language". > >Imagine the uproar that would be caused if Jesse Helms (or one of his ilk) >tried to pass a law that all conversations over the net or phone lines had to >be in English. (Or at least in a language understood by the cops.) The >amount of uproar would be incredible. The courts have already ruled against >this form of "language escrow". Such rulings should apply to encrypted >communications as well. > >Software is just the mechanism for the language of cryptography, it is not >the language itself. Just as in spoken languages, special knowledge is >needed to understand the "ideas" being communicated. The algorithm is (in >part) that language. (But in this case, you are able to speak to only those >you intend, not to the world at large.) > >Of course, the question is whether this line of reasoning will work under the >current regime. Maybe, maybe not. It seems a better argument than the ones >I have seen so far... Depends on how far the deck has been stacked against >us. > >-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- >Version: 4.5 > >iQEVAwUBM266uOQCP3v30CeZAQHU4wf9GePLzvloFC/zpM+uAmdzq+wCzASUt/vH >0GP4v9DwLTYtWDp4O/o/ietk1tej4G/d1h2owpdHsGT1qkUXWIG8XUjWsTPblPsa >0uS097K+fB7fP7+LUyrGWkaCwNMfqQ3gErhVfoRsQ6lJRhWE+6JiIcdgxC1OY7lg >kknM3//51Avbk+7CcVH+flyvL7uKWFHJdKpthiSSfKSg9nKJrLUQJxOQaK7xkpXH >4oFEKF1EApa2gFIPyTEM7Nd1Dp2PzcdNZrVHn2BmMP7eXeN4Jfkwoc31r95DPwpI >L2uWEeRpNEs61qNtM8/gkKMXk5fP/vLl8ujDHaYXDOP6dA3CnSbGOA== >=aN2p >-----END PGP SIGNATURE----- > >--- >| "Mi Tio es infermo, pero la carretera es verde!" | >|"The moral PGP Diffie taught Zimmermann unites all| Disclaimer: | >| mankind free in one-key-steganography-privacy!" | Ignore the man | >|`finger -l alano(a)teleport.com` for PGP 2.6.2 key | behind the keyboard.| >| http://www.ctrl-alt-del.com/~alan/ |alan(a)ctrl-alt-del.com| > > >

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17 Dec '03

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Site Builder Network: SBN Wire
by Site Builder Network 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

*** Microsoft (R) Site Builder Network *** In this issue: NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS * New - Microsoft Site Server * Microsoft Developer Network Library Goes Online * Free Intranet apps from the new Intranet Solutions Center * Get ready to develop for Internet Explorer 4.0 * New - Dynamic HTML Gallery MEMBERSHIP DOWNLOADS AND NEWS SPOTLIGHT * Introducing: Site of the Month * Feature Story - Internet Explorer 4.0 Technology * Chili!ASP from ChiliSoft * Metrowerks CodeWarrior for the Mac PLEASE NOTE: FORMATTING RESTRICTIONS MAY NOT ALLOW A URL TO FIT ON ONE LINE, THUS CAUSING AN ERROR IN THE LINK. IF A URL LINK DOES NOT SEEM TO WORK, PLEASE PASTE THE WHOLE ADDRESS (THAT MAY STRETCH INTO TWO LINES) INTO YOUR BROWSER FOR VIEWING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS NEW - MICROSOFT SITE SERVER Microsoft Site Server, the newest member of Microsoft's BackOffice family, makes it easy to enhance, deploy, and manage sophisticated web sites built on Windows NT Server and Internet Information Server. For all the latest information, go to the new Site Server web site at http://www.microsoft.com/siteserver/. MICROSOFT DEVELOPER NETWORK LIBRARY GOES ONLINE Site Builder Network's sister resource, the Microsoft Developer Network, has launched a new web site. Go to http://www.microsoft.com/siteserver/ for the most up-to- date programming information. Take advantage of an MSDN Online Membership and receive access to the MSDN Library Online, a registration to the MSDNFlash (email notification service), and a host of other online specials. FREE INTRANET APPS FROM THE NEW INTRANET SOLUTIONS CENTER We've launched a one-stop web site for finding fast easy answers to intranet issues at http://www.microsoft.com/intranet/default.htm. The site includes 47 free, sample intranet applications you can download, including workflow charts, bug tracking, employee handbooks and more. Plus, articles, case studies, and a load of resources can be found at the site. GET READY TO DEVELOP FOR INTERNET EXPLORER 4.0 To ready you for Internet Explorer 4.0, we've built a whole new Workshop page just for Internet Explorer 4.0 Technologies. You can find it at http://www.microsoft.com/sitebuilder/workshop/prog/ie4/. You'll find the latest information on Microsoft Internet Client Software Development Kit, being shipped with the IE4 Platform Preview CD. DYNAMIC HTML GALLERY We've expanded our Gallery to include a section on Dynamic HTML. Go to http://www.microsoft.com/gallery/default.asp and scroll down to the Dynamic HTML globe. Here you will find the latest Internet Explorer 4.0 technology, ready to view. Learn about and start using Dynamic HTML now! MEMBERSHIP DOWNLOADS AND NEWS SPOTLIGHT INTRODUCING - SITE OF THE MONTH Introducing the Site Builder Network Site of the Month. Don't envy them; learn from their stories. The SBN Site of the Month features in-depth analysis of the technical, design, and business stories behind a Web site that rocks (and maybe even money). Check out our first honoree at http://www.microsoft.com/sitebuilder/webadvantage/baarns .asp. FEATURE STORY - INTERNET EXPLORER 4.0 We're spotlighting Internet Explorer 4.0 this week. Check out the feature story this week in the Site Builder Network Magazine at http://www.microsoft.com/sitebuilder/features/inetsdk. asp. Topics include: a what-why-how overview of a very Web-savvy browser, how the new multimedia controls will add sparkle to your pages, and the Dynamic HTML Object Model explained. NEW DOWNLOADS Chili!ASP, from ChiliSoft, lets you build Active Server Pages (ASP) on non-Microsoft Web servers. Metrowerks CodeWarrior is the development environment of choice for Macintosh computers. This special demonstration version of CodeWarrior lets you experience the fast compilers, easy-to-use IDE (Integrated Development Environment), and context-sensitive editor. ________________________________________ To increase or decrease the frequency of e-mail or postal mail you receive from Site Builder Network, please go to http://www.microsoft.com/sbnmember/apply/apply.asp and click "Change Your Membership." You will find check boxes, which will allow you to choose the frequency of mail you wish to receive (including none). To cancel your SBN membership, please put "Cancel my Membership" in the subject heading and e-mail back to SBN(a)microsoft.com.

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CALEA Comments
by John Young 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

The FBI has published today in the Federal Register industry comments and its responses to Section 104(d) of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, 2nd Notice of January 14, 1997, and requests additional comments: http://jya.com/fbi050697.htm (33K)

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Jim Bell in the Oregonian
by Alan 17 Dec '03

17 Dec '03

Jim Bell has an editorial (with his picture) in the Oregonian. (Morning edition, May 6th, 1997 page B-9.) It takes up about a quarter of the page. It is an interesting read. It does not address the problems with AP, but it does deal with the raid and other issues involved. Jim might consider posting a copy of the original article here. Given the Oregano's love of cut-and-paste journalism, it would be interesting how the original and print versions differ.

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