Newsgroups: alt.security.pgp,talk.politics.crypto,comp.org.eff.talk Path: news.delphi.com!noc.near.net!howland.reston.ans.net!spool.mu.edu!sgiblab!rtech!amdahl!netcomsv!netcom.com!strnlght From: strnlght@netcom.com (David Sternlight) Subject: L'Envoi Message-ID: <strnlghtCFoIwF.IqG@netcom.com> Followup-To: poster Organization: DSI/USCRPAC Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1993 22:09:50 GMT Lines: 60 Xref: news.delphi.com alt.security.pgp:5751 talk.politics.crypto:1071 comp.org.eff.talk:20845
When I began participating in cryto discussions here, there were several issues of interest to me. One was to encourage RSADSI to permit a "U.S.-legal" version of PGP. I have worked behind the scenes with RSA to encourage that, and it now appears that with ViaCrypt that goal has been reached for DOS, and one assumes soon for Unix and the Mac. Another was to make it clear that I thought both that pgp 1.x and 2.x were infringements of PKP's patents in the U.S. and those who encouraged or supported that were acting in a counterproductive way to RSA's permitting a licensed version. I've made my views very clear on this, and now that ViaCrypt is out, the issue is somewhat stale. A third was my concern that PGP2.x was the result of violating U.S. law. Since a Grand Jury is now investigating this matter, I am happy to leave it, whatever the outcome, in the hands of the professionals. I claim no personal credit for any of the above developments. Along the way I electronically met many colleages who vigorously but civilly disagreed with some of my views and advocacies. They have earned my undying respect and admiration. I also met some who were, not to put too fine a point on it, badly in need of having their mouths washed out with soap. They will remain in memory for who they have shown themselves to be. My biggest single disappointment was with Mike Godwin and EFF. I had considered them to be professionals working on issues I supported. I now believe they are petty special pleaders riding a particular hobby horse, and to some extent a toy of their major funders. They have, again in my view, shown themselves not above both inaccurate propaganda statements, and a complete inability to acknowledge and correct such errors when they arise. Thanks to the many who sent me e-mails of support during this whole experience. Thanks also also to the few who had genuine disagreements and expressed them civilly in e-mail. Since the main issues of concern to me now seem to be well in train, it's time to use my energies in other ways. Thus I am removing talk.politics.crypto and alt.security.pgp from my reading lists. I am always available via e-mail, and would welcome news from colleagues who wish to take the trouble to write me on how Phil Zimmerman is doing, how the Grand Jury proceedings are coming along and with what result, and when "U.S.-legal" Mac and Unix versions of PGP become available. For those who are curious, when I need encryption my current tools of choice are TechMail for correspondence flowing via POP Mail servers, and MacRipem for point-to-point traffic to other Macs. I am also experimenting with the new Mac System 7 Pro and an illustrative application Apple sent to developers that handles internet mail within it. I understand Ripem Mac will fit into this model and accept the System 7 Pro signer keys for encryption, and I'm going to work with that as well. David -- David Sternlight When the mouse laughs at the cat, there is a hole nearby.--Nigerian Proverb