Addressed to: Black Unicorn <unicorn@schloss.li> Cypherpunks <cypherpunks@toad.com> ** Reply to note from Black Unicorn <unicorn@schloss.li> 07/03/96 10:17pm -0400 good "white paper." modularity is the key. use of standardized encryption libraries permitting user selection of one or more formats. message pools would be great from satellite channels --how do you regulate (read this as "pay for") since someone must receive the messages to uplink? -otherwise you have the dropouts of USENET. user interface is the achilles heel for most programmers --the time is spent making the code 'work.' with the tools available which allow multi- platform development, the *functional* GUI should be done by someone who creates "artitstic" interfaces. I agree-- if encryption can be made so simple, and with a clean user interface, it will be used by joe sixpack (who rarely likes uncle, anyway --but for different reasons). once joe sixpack starts to use (probably dropping his private keys...), then it is too pervasive to stop --even if there are a few high level prosecutions. one of our greatest failings v/v encryption as a group (including coderpunks) is we are satisfied with our access to encrytion. PGP is a nusiance, and the instructions are not clear --so we experiment until we get the results: on the command line. our satisfaction makes us insular; we need to think in global terms --mass marketing of a free product which will hold appeal for everyone. encryption is no different than the students in China --no, they do have it, but how long can Father Deng (and his successors) hang on against technology and quest for knowledge? -- Fuck off, Uncle Sam. Cyberspace is where democracy lives!