At 10:44 PM 2/17/96 -0500, SINCLAIR DOUGLAS N wrote:

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If you have a secure link you don't need encryption. Arguably, the converse is true; if you have secure encryption you don't need a secure link. Isn't the ability to transmit secure data over insecure channels one of the primary justifications for encryption?

Of course. My point, though I seem to have failed to state it, is that encryption is a cheap software thing while laser beams are expensive, complicated, and still not secure.

Ah yes, but software without hardware doesn't do much. Wires are expensive, and in many places you can't string them across public right-of-ways. The distance from my house to my neighbor across the street is less than 200 feet. I suspect some form of optical link would work fairly well. I also think it would be hard to tap. I think my point is, don't throw something out of your tool bag just because you can't use it everywhere. Bill