Dimitri Vulis <dlv@bwalk.dm.com> writes:
Bill Payne was with Sandia national lab (where they quite a bit of crypto work) Bill claims to have discovered a very fast factorization algorithm using shift registers, which he refuses to publish. While I haven't seen the algorithm, I believe he may well be right.
Bill Payne's claim to having discovered a faster factorization algorithm than the current state of the art, allows us to invoke the oft discussed mechanisms for the author to prove this ability without divulging the algorithm, and then proceed to sell the algorithm to the highest bidder, whilst minimizing his chances of being killed. ... I believe Bill is genuinely afraid that if he published his algorithm,
Adam Back <aba@dcs.ex.ac.uk> writes: then he'll be killed. I don't know enough to judge how realistic his fear is. I've been involved in serious discussions of assassinations over smaller amounts of money than is at stake here. He displays great courage by saying anything at all at this point. I also have an extremely high opinion of Bill's (and Adam Back's) technical abiltities. That is, I'd be much less surprised if Bill Payne (or Adam Back) comes up with some truly remarkable breakthrough than someone I've never heard of or someone I heard of and don't have such a high opinion of. Yes, it would be most interesting/impressive if Bill demonstrated his ability to factor using some of the published chalenges. --- Dr.Dimitri Vulis KOTM Brighton Beach Boardwalk BBS, Forest Hills, N.Y.: +1-718-261-2013, 14.4Kbps