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2. MFAQ--Most Frequently Asked Questions Most Frequently Asked Questions
============
##2.1. copyright
THE CYPHERNOMICON: Cypherpunks FAQ and More, Version 0.666,
1994-09-10, Copyright Timothy C. May. All rights reserved.
See the detailed disclaimer. Use short sections under "fair
use" provisions, with appropriate credit, but don't put your
name on my words.
2.1. copyright ##2.2. SUMMARY: MFAQ--Most Frequently Asked Questions
THE CYPHERNOMICON: Cypherpunks FAQ and More, Version 0.666,
1994-09-10, Copyright Timothy C. May. All rights reserved. Main Points
See the detailed disclaimer. Use short sections under "fair
use" provisions, with appropriate credit, but don't put your - These are the main questions that keep coming up. Not
name on my words. necessarily the most basic question, just the ones that get
asked a lot. What most FAQs are.
- Connections to Other Sections
- Where to Find Additional Information
- newcomers to crypto should buy Bruce Schneier's "Applied
Cryptography"...it will save many hours worth of
unnecessary questions and clueless remarks about
cryptography.
- the various FAQs publishe in the newsroups (like sci.crypt,
alt.security.pgp) are very helpful. (also at rtfm.mit.edu)
- Miscellaneous Comments
- I wasn't sure what to include here in the MFAQ--perhaps
people can make suggestions of other things to include.
- My advice is that if something interests you, use your
editing/searching tools to find the same topic in the main
section. Usually (but not always) there's more material in
the main chapters than here in the MFAQ.
2.2. SUMMARY: MFAQ--Most Frequently Asked Questions ##2.3. "What's the 'Big Picture'?"
2.2.1. Main Points
- These are the main questions that keep coming up. Not - Strong crypto is here. It is widely available.
necessarily the most basic question, just the ones that get - It implies many changes in the way the world works. Private
asked a lot. What most FAQs are. channels between parties who have never met and who never
2.2.2. Connections to Other Sections will meet are possible. Totally anonymous, unlinkable,
2.2.3. Where to Find Additional Information untraceable communications and exchanges are possible.
- newcomers to crypto should buy Bruce Schneier's "Applied - Transactions can only be *voluntary*, since the parties are
Cryptography"...it will save many hours worth of untraceable and unknown and can withdraw at any time. This
unnecessary questions and clueless remarks about has profound implications for the conventional approach of
cryptography. using the threat of force, directed against parties by
- the various FAQs publishe in the newsroups (like sci.crypt, governments or by others. In particular, threats of force
alt.security.pgp) are very helpful. (also at rtfm.mit.edu) will fail.
2.2.4. Miscellaneous Comments - What emerges from this is unclear, but I think it will be a
- I wasn't sure what to include here in the MFAQ--perhaps form of anarcho-capitalist market system I call "crypto
people can make suggestions of other things to include. anarchy." (Voluntary communications only, with no third
- My advice is that if something interests you, use your parties butting in.)
editing/searching tools to find the same topic in the main
section. Usually (but not always) there's more material in
the main chapters than here in the MFAQ.
2.3. "What's the 'Big Picture'?" - 2.4. Organizational
2.3.1. Strong crypto is here. It is widely available. - "How do I get on--and off--the Cypherpunks list?"
2.3.2. It implies many changes in the way the world works. Private - Send a message to "cypherpunks-request@toad.com"
channels between parties who have never met and who never - Any auto-processed commands?
will meet are possible. Totally anonymous, unlinkable, - don't send requests to the list as a whole....this will
untraceable communications and exchanges are possible. mark you as "clueless"
2.3.3. Transactions can only be *voluntary*, since the parties are - "Why does the Cypherpunks list sometimes go down, or lose the
untraceable and unknown and can withdraw at any time. This subscription list?"
has profound implications for the conventional approach of - The host machine, toad.com, owned by John Gilmore, has had
using the threat of force, directed against parties by the usual problems such machines have: overloading,
governments or by others. In particular, threats of force shortages of disk space, software upgrades, etc. Hugh
will fail. Daniel has done an admirable job of keeping it in good
2.3.4. What emerges from this is unclear, but I think it will be a shape, but problems do occur.
form of anarcho-capitalist market system I call "crypto - Think of it as warning that lists and communication systems
anarchy." (Voluntary communications only, with no third remain somewhat fragile....a lesson for what is needed to
parties butting in.) make digital money more robust and trustable.
- There is no paid staff, no hardware budget for
2.4. Organizational improvements. The work done is strictly voluntarily.
2.4.1. "How do I get on--and off--the Cypherpunks list?" - "If I've just joined the Cypherpunks list, what should I do?"
- Send a message to "cypherpunks-request@toad.com" - Read for a while. Things will become clearer, themes will
- Any auto-processed commands? emerge, and certain questions will be answered. This is
- don't send requests to the list as a whole....this will good advice for any group or list, and is especially so for
mark you as "clueless" a list with 500 or more people on it. (We hit 700+ at one
2.4.2. "Why does the Cypherpunks list sometimes go down, or lose the point, then a couple of list outages knocked the number
subscription list?" down a bit.)
- The host machine, toad.com, owned by John Gilmore, has had - Read the references mentioned here, if you can. The
the usual problems such machines have: overloading, sci.crypt FAQ should be read. And purchase Bruce Schneier's
shortages of disk space, software upgrades, etc. Hugh "Applied Cryptography" the first chance you get.
Daniel has done an admirable job of keeping it in good - Join in on things that interest you, but don't make a fool
shape, but problems do occur. of yourself. Reputations matter, and you may come to regret
- Think of it as warning that lists and communication systems having come across as a tedious fool in your first weeks on
remain somewhat fragile....a lesson for what is needed to the list. (If you're a tedious fool after the first few
make digital money more robust and trustable. weeks, that may just be your nature, of course.)
- There is no paid staff, no hardware budget for - Avoid ranting and raving on unrelated topics, such as
improvements. The work done is strictly voluntarily. abortion (pro or con), guns (pro or con), etc. The usual
2.4.3. "If I've just joined the Cypherpunks list, what should I do?" topics that usually generate a lot of heat and not much
- Read for a while. Things will become clearer, themes will light. (Yes, most of us have strong views on these and
emerge, and certain questions will be answered. This is other topics, and, yes, we sometimes let our views creep
good advice for any group or list, and is especially so for into discussions. There's no denying that certain
a list with 500 or more people on it. (We hit 700+ at one resonances exist. I'm just urging caution.)
point, then a couple of list outages knocked the number - "I'm swamped by the list volume; what can I do?"
down a bit.) - This is a natural reaction. Nobody can follow it all; I
- Read the references mentioned here, if you can. The spend entirely too many hours a day reading the list, and I
sci.crypt FAQ should be read. And purchase Bruce Schneier's certainly can't follow it all. Pick areas of expertise and
"Applied Cryptography" the first chance you get. then follow them and ignore the rest. After all, not seeing
- Join in on things that interest you, but don't make a fool things on the list can be no worse than not even being
of yourself. Reputations matter, and you may come to regret subscribed to the list!
having come across as a tedious fool in your first weeks on - Hit the "delete" key quickly
the list. (If you're a tedious fool after the first few - find someone who will digest it for you (Eric Hughes has
weeks, that may just be your nature, of course.) repeatedly said anyone can retransmit the list this way;
- Avoid ranting and raving on unrelated topics, such as Hal Finney has offered an encrypted list)
abortion (pro or con), guns (pro or con), etc. The usual + Better mailers may help. Some people have used mail-to-news
topics that usually generate a lot of heat and not much systems and then read the list as a local newsgroup, with
light. (Yes, most of us have strong views on these and threads.
other topics, and, yes, we sometimes let our views creep - I have Eudora, which supports off-line reading and
into discussions. There's no denying that certain sorting features, but I generally end up reading with an
resonances exist. I'm just urging caution.) online mail program (elm).
2.4.4. "I'm swamped by the list volume; what can I do?" - The mailing list may someday be switched over to a
- This is a natural reaction. Nobody can follow it all; I newsgroup, a la "alt.cypherpunks." (This may affect some
spend entirely too many hours a day reading the list, and I people whose sites do not carry alt groups.)
certainly can't follow it all. Pick areas of expertise and - "It's very easy to get lost in the morass of detail here. Are
then follow them and ignore the rest. After all, not seeing there any ways to track what's *really* important?"
things on the list can be no worse than not even being - First, a lot of the stuff posted in the Usenet newsgroups,
subscribed to the list! and on the Cypherpunks list, is peripheral stuff,
- Hit the "delete" key quickly epiphenomenal cruft that will blow away in the first strong
- find someone who will digest it for you (Eric Hughes has breeze. Grungy details about PGP shells, about RSA
repeatedly said anyone can retransmit the list this way; encryption speeds, about NSA supercomputers. There's just
Hal Finney has offered an encrypted list) no reason for people to worry about "weak IDEA keys" when
+ Better mailers may help. Some people have used mail-to-news so many more pressing matters exist. (Let the experts
systems and then read the list as a local newsgroup, with worry.) Little of this makes any real difference, just as
threads. little of the stuff in daily newspapers is memorable or
- I have Eudora, which supports off-line reading and deserves to be memorable.
sorting features, but I generally end up reading with an - Second, "read the sources." Read "1984," "The Shockwave
online mail program (elm). Rider," "Atlas Shrugged," "True Names." Read the Chaum
- The mailing list may someday be switched over to a article on making Big Brother obsolete (October 1985,
newsgroup, a la "alt.cypherpunks." (This may affect some "Communications of the ACM").
people whose sites do not carry alt groups.) - Third, don't lose sight of the core values: privacy,
2.4.5. "It's very easy to get lost in the morass of detail here. Are technological solutions over legal solutions, avoiding
there any ways to track what's *really* important?" taxation, bypassing laws, etc. (Not everyone will agree
- First, a lot of the stuff posted in the Usenet newsgroups, with all of these points.)
and on the Cypherpunks list, is peripheral stuff, - Fourth, don't drown in the detail. Pick some areas of
epiphenomenal cruft that will blow away in the first strong interest and follow _them_. You may not need to know the
breeze. Grungy details about PGP shells, about RSA inner workings of DES or all the switches on PGP to make
encryption speeds, about NSA supercomputers. There's just contributions in other areas. (In fact, you surely don't.)
no reason for people to worry about "weak IDEA keys" when - "Who are the Cypherpunks?"
so many more pressing matters exist. (Let the experts - A mix of about 500-700
worry.) Little of this makes any real difference, just as + Can find out who by sending message to majordomo@toad.com
little of the stuff in daily newspapers is memorable or with the message body text "who cypherpunks" (no quotes, of
deserves to be memorable. course).
- Second, "read the sources." Read "1984," "The Shockwave - Is this a privacy flaw? Maybe.
Rider," "Atlas Shrugged," "True Names." Read the Chaum - Lots of students (they have the time, the Internet
article on making Big Brother obsolete (October 1985, accounts). Lots of computer science/programming folks. Lots
"Communications of the ACM"). of libertarians.
- Third, don't lose sight of the core values: privacy, - quote from Wired article, and from "Whole Earth Review"
technological solutions over legal solutions, avoiding - "Who runs the Cypherpunks?"
taxation, bypassing laws, etc. (Not everyone will agree - Nobody. There's no formal "leadership." No ruler = no head
with all of these points.) = an arch = anarchy. (Look up the etymology of anarchy.)
- Fourth, don't drown in the detail. Pick some areas of - However, the mailing list currently resides on a physical
interest and follow _them_. You may not need to know the machine, and this machine creates some nexus of control,
inner workings of DES or all the switches on PGP to make much like having a party at someon'e house. The list
contributions in other areas. (In fact, you surely don't.) administrator is currently Eric Hughes (and has been since
2.4.6. "Who are the Cypherpunks?" the beginning). He is helped by Hugh Daniel, who often does
- A mix of about 500-700 maintenance of the toad.com, and by John Gilmore, who owns
+ Can find out who by sending message to majordomo@toad.com the toad.com machine and account.
with the message body text "who cypherpunks" (no quotes, of - In an extreme situation of abuse or neverending ranting,
course). these folks could kick someone off the list and block them
- Is this a privacy flaw? Maybe. from resubscribing via majordomo. (I presume they could--
- Lots of students (they have the time, the Internet it's never happened.)
accounts). Lots of computer science/programming folks. Lots - To emphasize: nobody's ever been kicked off the list, so
of libertarians. far as I know. Not even Detweiler...he asked to be removed
- quote from Wired article, and from "Whole Earth Review" (when the list subscribes were done manually).
2.4.7. "Who runs the Cypherpunks?" - As to who sets policy, there is no policy! No charter, no
- Nobody. There's no formal "leadership." No ruler = no head agenda, no action items. Just what people want to work on
= an arch = anarchy. (Look up the etymology of anarchy.) themselves. Which is all that can be expected. (Some people
- However, the mailing list currently resides on a physical get frustrated at this lack of consensus, and they
machine, and this machine creates some nexus of control, sometimes start flaming and ranting about "Cypherpunks
much like having a party at someon'e house. The list never do anything," but this lack of consensus is to be
administrator is currently Eric Hughes (and has been since expected. Nobody's being paid, nobody's got hiring and
the beginning). He is helped by Hugh Daniel, who often does firing authority, so any work that gets done has to be
maintenance of the toad.com, and by John Gilmore, who owns voluntary. Some volunteer groups are more organized than we
the toad.com machine and account. are, but there are other factors that make this more
- In an extreme situation of abuse or neverending ranting, possible for them than it is for us. C'est la vie.)
these folks could kick someone off the list and block them - Those who get heard on the mailing list, or in the physical
from resubscribing via majordomo. (I presume they could-- meetings, are those who write articles that people find
it's never happened.) interesting or who say things of note. Sounds fair to me.
- To emphasize: nobody's ever been kicked off the list, so - "Why don't the issues that interest me get discussed?"
far as I know. Not even Detweiler...he asked to be removed - Maybe they already have been--several times. Many newcomers
(when the list subscribes were done manually). are often chagrined to find arcane topics being discussed,
- As to who sets policy, there is no policy! No charter, no with little discussion of "the basics."
agenda, no action items. Just what people want to work on - This is hardly surprising....people get over the "basics"
themselves. Which is all that can be expected. (Some people after a few months and want to move on to more exciting (to
get frustrated at this lack of consensus, and they them) topics. All lists are like this.
sometimes start flaming and ranting about "Cypherpunks - In any case, after you've read the list for a while--maybe
never do anything," but this lack of consensus is to be several weeks--go ahead and ask away. Making your topic
expected. Nobody's being paid, nobody's got hiring and fresher may generate more responses than, say, asking
firing authority, so any work that gets done has to be what's wrong with Clipper. (A truly overworked topic,
voluntary. Some volunteer groups are more organized than we naturally.)
are, but there are other factors that make this more - "How did the Cypherpunks group get started?"
possible for them than it is for us. C'est la vie.) - "Where did the name 'Cypherpunks' come from?"
- Those who get heard on the mailing list, or in the physical + Jude Milhon, aka St. Jude, then an editor at "Mondo 2000,"
meetings, are those who write articles that people find was at the earliest meetings...she quipped "You guys are
interesting or who say things of note. Sounds fair to me. just a bunch of cypherpunks." The name was adopted
2.4.8. "Why don't the issues that interest me get discussed?" immediately.
- Maybe they already have been--several times. Many newcomers - The 'cyberpunk' genre of science fiction often deals with
are often chagrined to find arcane topics being discussed, issues of cyberspace and computer security ("ice"), so
with little discussion of "the basics." the link is natural. A point of confusion is that
- This is hardly surprising....people get over the "basics" cyberpunks are popularly thought of as, well, as "punks,"
after a few months and want to move on to more exciting (to while many Cyberpunks are frequently libertarians and
them) topics. All lists are like this. anarchists of various stripes. In my view, the two are
- In any case, after you've read the list for a while--maybe not in conflict.
several weeks--go ahead and ask away. Making your topic - Some, however, would prefer a more staid name. The U.K.
fresher may generate more responses than, say, asking branch calls itself the "U.K. Crypto Privacy
what's wrong with Clipper. (A truly overworked topic, Association." <check this> However, the advantages of the
naturally.) name are clear. For one thing, many people are bored by
2.4.9. "How did the Cypherpunks group get started?" staid names. For another, it gets us noticed by
2.4.10. "Where did the name 'Cypherpunks' come from?" journalists and others.
+ Jude Milhon, aka St. Jude, then an editor at "Mondo 2000," - We are actually not very "punkish" at all. About as punkish
was at the earliest meetings...she quipped "You guys are as most of our cyberpunk cousins are, which is to say, not
just a bunch of cypherpunks." The name was adopted very.
immediately. + the name
- The 'cyberpunk' genre of science fiction often deals with - Crypto Cabal (this before the sci.crypt FAQ folks
issues of cyberspace and computer security ("ice"), so appeared, I think), Crypto Liberation Front, other names
the link is natural. A point of confusion is that - not everybody likes the name...such is life
cyberpunks are popularly thought of as, well, as "punks,"
while many Cyberpunks are frequently libertarians and ## Partially completed FAQ section
anarchists of various stripes. In my view, the two are
not in conflict.
- Some, however, would prefer a more staid name. The U.K.
branch calls itself the "U.K. Crypto Privacy
Association." <check this> However, the advantages of the
name are clear. For one thing, many people are bored by
staid names. For another, it gets us noticed by
journalists and others.
-
- We are actually not very "punkish" at all. About as punkish
as most of our cyberpunk cousins are, which is to say, not
very.
+ the name
- Crypto Cabal (this before the sci.crypt FAQ folks
appeared, I think), Crypto Liberation Front, other names
- not everybody likes the name...such is life
2.4.11. "Why doesn't the Cypherpunks group have announced goals, 2.4.11. "Why doesn't the Cypherpunks group have announced goals,
ideologies, and plans?" ideologies, and plans?"
- The short answer: we're just a mailing list, a loose - The short answer: we're just a mailing list, a loose