I don't think that anti-nymity is a bias, it's just an unfortunate side effect. Most consumers want single sign-on. Microsoft wants to give it to them. If you don't like it, you can always get the same effect by using a nym and those nifty prepaid Amex cards you can buy at 7-11. -----Original Message----- From: Roy M. Silvernail [mailto:roy@scytale.com] Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2001 9:48 AM To: Cypherpunks Subject: MS adds their two bits to the credentialing of America Interesting piece on CNET: http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-201-6208902-0.html?tag=tp_pr A telling highlight:

Analysts said Microsoft views instant messaging--a key element of Windows Messenger--as glue for its new Internet services such as Passport and HailStorm. Such services promise to simplify Web surfing by giving people a single online identity and providing secure access to personal information such as credit card numbers with one click.

It's that "single online identity" part that chafes me. A pretty clear anti-nymity bias, as MS forges ahead in tying ones online presence irrevocably to their meatspace identity. -- Roy M. Silvernail Proprietor, scytale.com roy@scytale.com