In the light of recent developments concerning government cryptography initiatives, we might soon find ourselves innundated by working press.

Given this, I think that the name "cypherpunks" produces the wrong connotations -- it makes us sound like criminals when we are in fact people who are interested in expanding personal privacy with technology. Often, little things like this end up being of tremendous importance in the long haul.

I would propose changing the name of the mailing list to "cryptoprivacy" or something similar. It denotes what we are about in a way that mundane people understand better, and it portrays us in the proper light -- as people struggling to improve the prospects for personal freedom, not a bunch of "punks".

Perry

I agree wholeheartedly, and I think I have the experience to say so. You wouldn't believe how much importance people and groups put on names. Even though I have not, nor ever intend to commit the act described by my name, people still look at me with a leery eye. Becase I am treason@gnu