Somebody asked me what the name "Cyphernomicon" means, another said it was not at all an obscure reference. And another asked if I was claiming that encyption is in some way "evil." I merely borrowed the name from the original "Cyphernomicon," also called "The Book of Encyphered Names." It came to us early this century via the Black Russian anarchist Peter Krypotkin, who had obtained his copy from Sheik Ibn al-Taz Khallikak, the Pine Barrens Horror. It apparently originated in ancient Sumeria, where the cuneiform writing lent itself to encypherment, and spread from the gates of Ishtar to the back alleys of Damascus. A knock-off of it was done by the Mad Arab Al-hazred, and translated by John Dee (better known for his work with Kool John Dee and the Rappin' Cryps). The Cyphernomicon was apparently the basis for the crypto system used by King Solomon for his "Keys of Solomon" (Solomon-Strasser primality test). The original manuscript is on display in the Crypto Museum in Twenty-Nine Primes, California (a few miles from the NSA SIGINT post at Zzyzx). I got this information from my friend Klaus! von Future Prime. --Tim -- .......................................................................... Timothy C. May | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money, tcmay@netcom.com | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero 408-688-5409 | knowledge, reputations, information markets, W.A.S.T.E.: Aptos, CA | black markets, collapse of governments. Higher Power: 2^859433 | Public Key: PGP and MailSafe available. "National borders are just speed bumps on the information superhighway."