If you haven't already registered for Crypto '96, you're late! But there's probably still time. They no longer guarantee that they will have space for you, but if they do, you'll get in. See http://www.iacr.org for details. It costs about $640 plus plane fare to attend ($420 conference registration, $220 for dorm space and meals). Plus transportation there and back. It's in a beautiful location at UC Santa Barbara, right next to the beach. The weather, food, and discussions are always good, and it's a great way to meet good cryptographers and discuss the future privacy and security of the world. If the papers look too complicated for you, relax; they're cryptic for academic bureacratic reasons. The actual presentations by their authors are quite well explained, and are often lively and entertaining. If you're doing something interesting with crypto, submit a note for the "rump session", short informal talks about work in progress, which will happen on Tuesday evening during the conference. I hope to be speaking there about my latest crypto projects. John Gilmore