The correct and sensible thing for Microsoft to do is to put hooks in their OS whereby a convenient interface can be provided to any encryption system. They may well do this, and (truthfully) tell the US they are providing infrastructure for key escrow and (truthfully) tell cypherpunks they are providing infrastructure for crypto anarchy. and (truthfully) tell shareholders that they are preparing their operating system for a world of world wide networks. This would be the archetypical Bill Gates maneuver. So before screaming at them, let us see what they are doing. -- --------------------------------------------------------------------- We have the right to defend ourselves and our property, because of the kind of animals that we James A. Donald are. True law derives from this right, not from the arbitrary power of the omnipotent state. jamesd@netcom.com