Regarding some specific criticisms by Mr. Nalbandian: [1] If Joe ComputerUser does not know how to use his computer for more than word processing and playing games, at this point, he probably doesn't NEED PGP. If he knows enough to realize what little privacy he actually has, he will go looking for security. With luck, he will run into someone who can steer him towards PGP... [2] The purpose of this list is not to insure that everyone has a copy and knows how to use PGP (though most of us would consider that a worthwhile goal). As it has been said more and more often, 'Cypherpunks write CODE!'. This is a discussion group about the practicality and implementation of specific forms of cryptography and cryptographic applications (digital money, key servers, etc). [ This is not to belittle the political content of the group, though. ] Groups like the EFF are interested in helping new users to the Internet learn all about it, and are doing a good job of it so far. If you are that concerned about the masses not knowing about cryptography, try sending a note to the EFF (with the caps lock OFF!) and ask them to include a section on privacy, cryptography and PGP in the next version of the Big Dummy's Guide To The Internet. It's a start. [3] Sending badly composed rants to seven hundred people and then publically posting a response to a private message is not the way to be taken seriously. -- ========================================================================== | Michael Brandt Handler | Philadelphia, PA | <grendel@netaxs.com> | | PGP 2.3a public key available via server or mail | ========================================================================== People who use Elm: if you know how to create a killfile for Elm, please send me an email message telling how. Thanks.