I realize this may seem absurd, but for the sake of humor could there be any relationship between the Dept. of Justice near pardon of Microsoft on charges of Anti-trust and the potential adoption of a software encryption standard in Chicago with the blessing of NIST and some goverment agencies. Would it be ridiculous conspirancy theorizing to think that MS and Justice made a deal? I have nothing to back this up, just reading the news and cypherpunks. ______________________________________________________________________________ Opinion is a flitting thing, Thinking Media Research But Truth, outlasts the Sun-- will@thinkmedia.com If then we cannot own them both-- (408) 423 3720 Possess the oldest one-- Emily Dickinson