On Thu, 4 Jan 1996, Thomas Massengale wrote:
At 3:17 PM 1/3/96, Mark M. wrote:
I really don't see the point of using a key larger than 2048 bits. Any larger key would actually be harder to factor than brute forcing the IDEA keyspace.
the world will never need more than 640K of RAM?
A paraphase of Bill Gates in 1981: "640K ought to be enough for anybody." However, DRAM technology and use can't really be compared to the fundamental mathematical problem posed by factoring prime composites. Stuffing more gates on a chunk of silicon is just an engineering problem. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think much has happened with primes since Legendre (1752-1833). _____________________________________________________________________ Don Gaffney Engineering, Mathematics & Business Administration Computer Facility University of Vermont 237 Votey Building Burlington, VT 05405 (802) 656-8490 Fax: (802) 656-8802