The Hackers Conference is coming up in early November at Lake Tahoe. Many of you will be attending. I've agreed to put together a session on "Crypto" for Saturday afternoon, for a 90 minute period, in the main room. Pretty much like last year. Every year the crypto theme grows stronger, and the events of the past year should make crypto a really hot topic at this year's conference. There are lots of things we could focus on: the Clipper/Skipjack controversy, PGP (Zimmermann may be there...I'm not sure), the general Cypherpunks agenda, and so on. I'd like to hear any ideas you folks may have, whether or not you'll be attending. And also any volunteers to talk (briefly!) or be on a panel discussion, depending on what structure we follow. Since there are so many folks on this list who'll be at Hackers, it'd be nice to get some fresh faces and hear about some new and exciting work. However, the audience will probably want to hear about the PGP-Zimmermann case (best in its own session, or a "BOF" session, IMHO), the Clipper and key escrow situation, and new legal issues. Perhaps we can split the session into two parts. First, several short (4-6 minute) speeches/talks on subjects, then a panel discussion and questions from the audience. Alternatively, make the whole thing a panel discussion with about 6-8 panelists and really try to hit a wide range of topics, with lots of audience participation. I think it best that we not let politics dominate, as most Hackers attendees share much the same disdain we have for certain government actions, and a political focus usually turns into a gripe session, besides not being very "hackerish." Also, political and legal issues surrounding crypto and cyberspace will likely surface in other sessions, as they did last year when Mike Godwin gave a Friday talk on EFF sorts of legal issues, and then key registration and hacker crackdowns got discussed in the usual marathon Sunday gripe session. (This does not mean we should concentrate on PERL scripts and MIME agents, as I'm sure few in the audience would be interested. A delicate balance is needed, to keep the discussion interesting and informative.) I will *not* speak myself, but will instead *ruthlessly* moderate and control the time schedule....it is far too easy for discussion of remailer software or key escrow issues, for example, to soak up all available time. I'll also try to head off the questions about "the basics," the things that clearly can't be covered in the time available. Last year's speakers can certainly speak again this year, but it may be better to pump in some fresh blood if possible. (If one of the talks is a recap of the first year of Cypherpunks, which I think would make a nice segment, then Eric Hughes would be the natural speaker, even though he spoke last year. We can work out something.) If you know someone who is going to Hackers, who is not on Cypherpunks, but who is doing something interesting in crypto, pass this message on. (And if you are reading this message because someone forwarded it to you for this reason, please get in touch with me if you're interested in participating.) Send in your suggestions, either to me personally or (gulp) to the overall list, but only if you think others would benefit. I have some ideas myself about the themes and topics, but it's best that I say no more for now. Thanks for your help! -Tim May -- .......................................................................... 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: 2^756839 | Public Key: PGP and MailSafe available. Note: I put time and money into writing this posting. I hope you enjoy it.