ANST - explanation, digital seals

[j'lynn yeates]

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

... current pgp public key for jyeates at realtime.net available at
certserver.pgp.com  

i've had several interested folk inquire about the "strange
characters" that are included in my messages lately.  since there
seems to be some interest and it would benefit many of the readership
(and will become *much* more common in the future) i'll explain
publically ..

basically, when you send out your words electronically (email) it's
usually in plain text (or formatted text) under your name.  in this
setup there is no real protection if someone alters that origional
text (and/or message header data) and posts it under your name.  in a
world (online) where the basic concept is "you own your words" this
could obviously be a problem.
 
after a recent inept and botched attempt forge my public words in
another online elist environ, i have altered my system defaults to
digitally "sign" each outbound message.  once signed, these messages
are easy to prove if they been forged / altered and simple to
authenticate by the receiver.  plus, it becomes a simple matter to
securly encrypt sensitive one-one communications (and/or sensitive
data on your systems).

putting it into "period perspective", it's the difference between
simply folding and addressing your words on paper or sealing that
message with wax & unique signant ring before dropping it in the
messengers pouch for transport and delivery.  the difference being a
signant ring can be stolen or forged, a digital signature can not (if
you are prudent).

if anyone what's more detail, feel free to contact me via direct
email.

file in your "street finds uses for things" folder (grin)

'wolf
... not paranoid, just cautious and reasonable trying to flow with
the world.

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: PGPfreeware 6.5.2 for non-commercial use <http://www.pgp.com>

iQA/AwUBOHv+k8LlmCR7EEpJEQJ/EACg/SnoqV56gjCc/duAnvA2kr5dgToAoNk5
kcOmWVV9rxnYrL9LZY84UTeq
=SrIp
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

============================================================================
Go to http://lists.ansteorra.org/lists.html to perform mailing list tasks.