NODE df1e1dc4Key Servers
"L. Detweiler" <ld231782@longs.lance.colostate.edu>Sun, 14 Nov 93 19:20:27 PST
I wonder if anyone would want to start a PGP key server dedicated only
to *real* identities. Obviously, there is no such demand with the current ones.
And please don't start with the `that would be impossible' arguments. A
key server that had the official policy `if you register here, on your
honor your legal name is what you give, under penalty of public
exposure if you are caught' would be enough for me.
NODE 8888fec2Re: Key Servers
Derek Atkins <warlord@MIT.EDU>Sun, 14 Nov 93 20:25:52 PST
> I wonder if anyone would want to start a PGP key server dedicated only
> to *real* identities. Obviously, there is no such demand with the current ones.
This defeats the purpose for which the PGP Keyservers were created.
The Keyservers were created to give a *SINGLE* place where you could
go to request a PGP key for some name (and it doesn't matter whether
that name is real or not).
Having a keyserver "dedicated only to real identities" would violate
the basis for which the Keyservers were originally created. Also,
quite recently, the keyserver administrators were discussing new
Keyserver sites, and we all agreed that ALL Keyserver sites would be
interconnected, to make sure that anyone could get any key from any
Keyserver site, no matter which server they use.
By proposing a split in the Keyserver service, you propose breaking
the initial assumption under which the keyservers were created:
Everyone has access to the whole public keyring from any server.
> And please don't start with the `that would be impossible' arguments. A
> key server that had the official policy `if you register here, on your
> honor your legal name is what you give, under penalty of public
> exposure if you are caught' would be enough for me.
Oh, I'm not saying that this is impossible. It is possible. It is,
however, unlikely that anyone will, and I personally will oppose any
such move to provide a service such as this. It is not the job of the
Keyserver to decide whether a key blongs to a real person or not. The
job of the Keyserver is to provide keys. All keys. Any keys. No
matter who claims to own the key.
The job to decide if a key was a True Name as its owner is a matter
for signators. Thats what Public Key Signatures are all about! If
you create some kind of Notary Hierarchy to require two pieces of
picture identification, two major credit cards, and a note from your
mother, then you can guarantee that that is a True Name (assuming you
believe in that hierarchy).
However it is not the job of the Keyserver to provide any sort of
policy as to the keys it provides. As I've said, the Keyserver is for
key distribution, not for any sort of key validation.
Thanks,
-derek
NODE c3bf5683Re: Key Servers
"L. Detweiler" <ld231782@longs.lance.colostate.edu>Sun, 14 Nov 93 20:33:58 PST
>> I wonder if anyone would want to start a PGP key server dedicated only
>> to *real* identities. Obviously, there is no such demand with the current ones.
>
>This defeats the purpose for which the PGP Keyservers were created.
>The Keyservers were created to give a *SINGLE* place where you could
>go to request a PGP key for some name (and it doesn't matter whether
>that name is real or not).
<sigh> nobody is interested in preventing pseudospoofing here. the
people who have most maneuvered themselves into a position to aid
future cyberspace are instead constraining it. that's the point, isn't
it? gosh, how could I have been so blind...
>Having a keyserver "dedicated only to real identities" would violate
>the basis for which the Keyservers were originally created.
as YOU conceive them.
>By proposing a split in the Keyserver service, you propose breaking
>the initial assumption under which the keyservers were created:
>Everyone has access to the whole public keyring from any server.
false. There could be a network of `true identity' key servers just as
easily as there is a network of PSEUDOSPOOFED LIES.
> > And please don't start with the `that would be impossible' arguments. A
>> key server that had the official policy `if you register here, on your
>> honor your legal name is what you give, under penalty of public
>> exposure if you are caught' would be enough for me.
>
>It is,
>however, unlikely that anyone will, and I personally will oppose any
>such move to provide a service such as this.
the real question, cypherpunks, is what you would do to THWART,
SABOTAGE, and DESTROY any such system or attempt ... (that is, beyond
your current impressive resume)
>However it is not the job of the Keyserver to provide any sort of
>policy as to the keys it provides. As I've said, the Keyserver is for
>key distribution, not for any sort of key validation.
so, Mr. Keyserver, considering that this (your?) software could be used
TODAY to help build up a true identity system, why do you oppose using
it in that fashion? I mean, besides that you are a Cypherpunk.
NODE 99fbba67Key Servers
"Mark W. Eichin" <eichin@paycheck.cygnus.com>Mon, 15 Nov 93 01:30:20 PST
Executive summary: if you care about true people, sign their keys, or
create an authority that you trust to sign them, and the keyservers
will automatically take care of the rest.
This is really a misunderstanding. (When people start using all
uppercase letters, it usually is.) I don't like to see people I work
closely with (Hi Derek!) the object of such wrath...
>> false. There could be a network of `true identity' key servers just as
>> easily as there is a network of PSEUDOSPOOFED LIES.
Take it easy for a bit here... the key servers (by which I mean the
PGP keyservers such as are run on toxicwaste.mit.edu and elsewhere)
*don't provide any authentication*... all they provide is keys. If you
trust a key because you got it from a key server, then you have
perhaps misunderstood the concept of digital signatures -- you should
be able to "validate" the key based on what's in it, not where you got
it from.
That said, if you or someone of similar interests wanted to provide a
"true identity" key service, you'd simply have to create a key for
that service, advertise it, convince people to belive that you really
were doing a "true identity" service (this is the social side, not the
technical side -- you can't convince them in purely electronic means
any more than you can convince them you even *exist* in purely
electronic means... but you can find some way of building *real world*
trust that suffices...) and then start signing the keys of those you
assert are "true people".
And guess what -- Derek's key server, *and all the others*, would
start carrying your signatures and keys. They wouldn't filter them out
- it wouldn't be worth the trouble :-) and it would be against their
mission which is to provide *keys* not *judgements*...
>> so, Mr. Keyserver, considering that this (your?) software could be used
>> TODAY to help build up a true identity system, why do you oppose using
Please, sir, do not defame the people who are making your desires
possible. Derek has *not* opposed letting *you* sign and publish lists
of true-person keys. He's just brought up the practical point that he
doesn't have time to do it (nor, perhaps, interest) as well as the
technical point that keyservice has *nothing to do* with validity of
keys. He's being generous and done everything you need for
infrastructure -- all you have to do is identify real people and sign
for them (or convince someone *you trust* to do so.)
I hope this clears things up a bit. Noone is preventing this from
happenning. (If I thought I could make money at it, enough to
compensate for the hassle, I'd consider doing it myself... but it
probably wouldn't be competitive with the RSA PCA's, as it usually
takes a *lot* of money to convince me something is worth the
hassle :-)
_Mark_ <eichin@paycheck.cygnus.com>
... or at least I might be...
NODE 7e079f74Re: Key Servers
"L. Detweiler" <ld231782@longs.lance.colostate.edu>Tue, 16 Nov 93 20:46:00 PST
>Take it easy for a bit here... the key servers (by which I mean the
>PGP keyservers such as are run on toxicwaste.mit.edu and elsewhere)
>*don't provide any authentication*... all they provide is keys. If you
>trust a key because you got it from a key server, then you have
>perhaps misunderstood the concept of digital signatures -- you should
>be able to "validate" the key based on what's in it, not where you got
>it from.
Seems to me, MR EICHIN, that many people might be FLABBERGASTED to find
out that people are using PGP key servers for PSEUDOSPOOFING.
why is it that the policy that ANYTHING GOES is NOT MADE CLEAR in
KEYSERVER POLICY DOCUMENTS?
>the key servers (by which I mean the
>PGP keyservers such as are run on toxicwaste.mit.edu and elsewhere)
>*don't provide any authentication*
<gasp> I never noticed that name before... Perhaps this is what you
think qualifies as your disclaimer...
NODE 8a29750fRe: Key Servers
Derek Atkins <warlord@MIT.EDU>Tue, 16 Nov 93 22:41:01 PST
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Seems to me, MR EICHIN, that many people might be FLABBERGASTED to find
> out that people are using PGP key servers for PSEUDOSPOOFING.
No, it seems that only *you* are flabbergasted. As has been stated
numerous time, the Keyservers exist solely for distributing keys.
Thats it. No more. No Less. They are not existant to police anyone.
They make no policy decisions. Anyone who wants to publish a key,
under any name, may do so. That has always been the policy. That
will always be the policy.
> why is it that the policy that ANYTHING GOES is NOT MADE CLEAR in
> KEYSERVER POLICY DOCUMENTS?
Why should it? As I said, anyone can add any key. The Keyserser
serves keys. It doesn't, and I believe that it *shouldn't* make any
verification about the keys it serves. That is the jobs of
signatures. The Keyservers (by which I mean the Keyservers at
pgp.mit.edu and elsewhere) *don't provide any authentication*. They
never have. They never will. And I don't believe it is their purpose
to do so.
> I'm writing this in hopes there are still some sane people left here.
There are many sane people out here.
> It's quite shocking to hear such blase arguments about identity from
> the people who have erected the current key server system. At the very
> minimum, these people should make their policies about pseudospoofing
> clear in policy documents -- anyone listed here could be imaginary,
> there are no guarantees.
I don't think that there are any arguments about identity. In fact,
the only person I know who's brought up the issue of identity is
yourself. The Keyservers have been erected for one, AND ONLY ONE,
purpose: TO SERVE KEYS. If you can tell me which word you do not
understand I will be happy to explain in excruciating detail what I
mean here. The Keyservers exist so people can request the PGP key for
some identity. It does not matter whether that identity owns one or
one hundred keys. If you want to insure identity, sign the key!
> 5) I remember a P.Metzger argument with M.Graff on some mailing list
> about using DNS as a kind of key distribution system. The argument
> boiled down to the point: can *anyone* insert entries? Coincidentally,
> this is the critical question in a True Name vs. Toxic Waste Dump databases.
Actually, there was more to this argument than just that. The problem
is not how to insert entries. Rather, the problem is how to
distribute the system so that the who system knows about every key.
The problem is that each key has more than one name: it has its
userID's associated with it, and it has a keyID, which is inherent to
the key. The problem is how to distribute the database so that
lookups by keyID can be accomplished.
The question was *never* about who had the ability to enter keys in
the database. The question was how to implement the database on top
of software that currently didn't allow for what was required. The
final decision, as it stands, was that the current software was not
capable of performing what was required.
> 6) The software already exists to have a separate network of True Names.
Absolutely correct. It is called a Digitial Signature Hierarchy (ala
PEM). It can also be easily implemented in PGP as well. In fact, I
was planning on doing this!
> I'm sure all the Psychopunks will come
> up with their clever arguments to sabotage any True Name debate or
> database system.
I'm not trying to sabotage the debate. I'm trying to say that there
are better, more effective ways of ensuring a True Identity, than
creating a placebo system of keyservers. It is much more secure to
create a system of signators that will digitally sign keys that belong
to True Names. If you see such a signature, then you are assured that
it is a True Name. If you receive mail from a keyserver, it is quite
possible that the Keyserver response was intercepted and changed, or
that the Keyserver itself has been altered by some evil cracker, or
whatever.
As has been stated a million times: The keyserver provides keys. The
signatures on the keys provide authentication. If you want to
authenticate something, check its signatures. If it has no
signatures, it should not be trusted. If it has untrustworthy
signatures, it should not be trusted. Which concept do you not
understand?
- -derek
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: 2.3
iQBuAgUBLOnHGjh0K1zBsGrxAQGVHgLECYxXO/kDfttEY4KOyaQB9b+wLqFy2Omv
2q0CEaralDXJ2SZtJRZM4QhUWDoDvYYG23TeGZ3GTsgQxPccfWzSx+qv/qSpVfpn
9pZWBQ/RgG3zKPyV+Kd3YFk=
=e6Cm
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
NODE ba3aa338Key Servers
"Mark W. Eichin" <eichin@paycheck.cygnus.com>Thu, 18 Nov 93 00:54:28 PST
"MR EICHIN"? gee, last time I saw my name written that way (all caps,
no punctuation on the abbreviation) was from a direct mailing database
program. I half expected to see it followed by "You may have already
won" :-) Before I continue, I'd like to indicate that I find this
discussion interesting, which is why I'm continuing to cc you, Mr.
Detweiler; however, if you'd rather I didn't continue, please let me
know.
But enough of that. Please tell me, MR LD231782, if whomever you got
your Internet email server from ever informed you that the email
addresses might have *nothing* to do with the names they claimed to
be? Malicious or otherwise? [To be fair, *my* network provider actually
does have some intro documentation that explains how insecure email
actually is... but they're unusual in other ways.] The point I'm
trying to make is that the Keyserver is no more guilty for not
mentioning it than your email provider is. Perhaps this is because
they are both assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that you cannot base
trust on machinery. Machinery might help propagate existing trust...
but the trust must start with the people involved (and by that I mean
the entities themselves, *not* the service maintainers.) In case it
wasn't clear, I'm just responding to your point:
>> why is it that the policy that ANYTHING GOES is NOT MADE CLEAR in
>> KEYSERVER POLICY DOCUMENTS?
in reference to the "policy documents" of everything else on the net.
For that matter, do you care that if you saw one message in Time
Magazine, you might see a similar message in an statement from Warner
Cable[*], or a number of related places -- because they're all owned by
the same conglomerate? Forget Medusa. Think Warner, Beatrice, TCI, and
other big meta-everything companies, who only *look* like distinct
"individuals" (corporations are individuals in the eyes of the law,
enabled by one of the later amendments...) while in fact they're only
really "tentacles" of a bigger one?
[*] I attempt to use the subjunctive here to make a point, not to
claim any actual behaviour of Time-Warner Inc. There are better
examples of this sort of thing anyhow. Sorry I don't have any handy
that are documented well enough...
(Actually, doesn't the FCC already have something to say about this?
something like you can do it as long as you don't own *all* of the
media in an area, but several of each is ok?)
There was a long discussion on another mailing list (with only a
slightly higher S/N than this one, but far more politics, as the vocal
membership includes employees of NSF, CIA, ANS, IBM, STD and other
TLA's :-) about someone who was posting from an address in their name
representing a political project from an educational site. Someone
else was curious about this, and contacted the postmaster. They
contacted the account owner, and had some time of figuring out what
was going on... turns out it was the *reverse* of PSEUDOSPOOFING,
namely, there was one account with *several* true names behind it. (It
was "exposed" because they didn't "keep their stories consistent" or
something like that.)
Now, do you find this reverse-PSEUDOSPOOFING (I leave the upper case
letters since I've never seen the world spelled without them)
objectionable as well? I'm not trying to set up a semantic trap here
or anything, I'm just trying to understand the bounds of the issue,
and get some idea what you see as ok, and what you see as
"flabbergasting." I reject the idea that just because you perceive
something that "many people might" perceive it the same way... so
please don't try to generalize, just let me know what *you* think.
Thanks.
_Mark_ <eichin@paycheck.cygnus.com>
... or at least I might be...
NODE 51a7a197Re: Key Servers
"L. Detweiler" <ld231782@longs.lance.colostate.edu>Fri, 19 Nov 93 18:22:00 PST
>Perhaps this is because
>they are both assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that you cannot base
>trust on machinery. Machinery might help propagate existing trust...
>but the trust must start with the people involved (and by that I mean
>the entities themselves, *not* the service maintainers.)
that's precisely correct. but we can build mechanisms that encourage
human trust, rather than encourage a criminal `free for all'. I seek to
find such mechanisms. Psychopunks seek to subvert, sabotage, and destroy them.
For example, I proposed an arrangement on this list whereby subscribers
promise not to pseudospoof. Obviously, no one here gives a damn.
I proposed that key servers be implemented that signify the authors
commitment to a code of honest cyberspatial interactions by their key
submissions. Obviously, no one here gives a damn.
I described a *real* and *active* conspiracy in RISKS. Obviously, only
the conspiracists here give a damn.
Hey, braindead cypherpunks -- do you want to know why there has always
been so much NOISE in this list's SIGNAL? do you want to know why
people are so GROUCHY and TYRANNICAL and incapable of any substantial
AGREEMENT or PROGRESS? because it is a HOTBED OF PSEUDOSPOOFING and all
this hideous cacophony is your KARMA FOR ENGAGING IN OR PASSIVELY SUBMITTING TO IT.
>There was a long discussion on another mailing list (with only a
>slightly higher S/N than this one, but far more politics, as the vocal
>membership includes employees of NSF, CIA, ANS, IBM, STD and other
>TLA's :-) about someone who was posting from an address in their name
>representing a political project from an educational site. Someone
>else was curious about this, and contacted the postmaster. They
>contacted the account owner, and had some time of figuring out what
>was going on... turns out it was the *reverse* of PSEUDOSPOOFING,
>namely, there was one account with *several* true names behind it. (It
>was "exposed" because they didn't "keep their stories consistent" or
>something like that.)
You're talking about Extropians? what list? name it, weasel. I still
consider this pseudospoofing -- twisting identity in maliciously
deceptive ways. Using identity to betray people.
If there is any general identity conspiracy, I'll give you 100-1 odds
the psychopunk bastards are behind it. I wouldn't be surprised if it
was a psychopunk bastard behind the Gibson forgery/impersonation on
that other mailing list. You guys have WET DREAMS over ALL OF THIS. perverts.
>Now, do you find this reverse-PSEUDOSPOOFING (I leave the upper case
>letters since I've never seen the world spelled without them)
>objectionable as well?
Just another repulsive variation on psychopunk depravity and
perversions. Honest people would be repulsed by it.
NODE 14c9ef94Re: Key Servers
Timothy Newsham <newsham@wiliki.eng.hawaii.edu>Fri, 19 Nov 93 20:42:00 PST
> Hey, braindead cypherpunks -- do you want to know why there has always
> been so much NOISE in this list's SIGNAL? do you want to know why
> people are so GROUCHY and TYRANNICAL and incapable of any substantial
> AGREEMENT or PROGRESS? because it is a HOTBED OF PSEUDOSPOOFING and all
> this hideous cacophony is your KARMA FOR ENGAGING IN OR PASSIVELY SUBMITTING
> TO IT.
>
'HOTBED OF PSEUDOSPOOFING' ? You are starting to sound like a politician
trying to get re-elected with your made up vocabulary.
I would like to remind you that a great deal of the noise on this list
is seeded by your posts. I dont disagree with everything you say but
your assessment of this list is incorrect.
NODE f62a3af5Re: Key Servers
chuck <chuck@cxf111.rh.psu.edu>Fri, 19 Nov 93 22:42:01 PST
> Hey, braindead cypherpunks -- do you want to know why there has always
> been so much NOISE in this list's SIGNAL? do you want to know why
> people are so GROUCHY and TYRANNICAL and incapable of any substantial
> AGREEMENT or PROGRESS? because it is a HOTBED OF PSEUDOSPOOFING and all
> this hideous cacophony is your KARMA FOR ENGAGING IN OR PASSIVELY
> SUBMITTING TO IT.
I believe you forgot this part:
UN-altered REPRODUCTION and DISSEMINATION of this
IMPORTANT Information is ENCOURAGED.
NODE 8c240b57Re: Key Servers
"Perry E. Metzger" <pmetzger@lehman.com>Thu, 18 Nov 93 09:11:30 PST
"Mark W. Eichin" says:
> "MR EICHIN"? gee, last time I saw my name written that way (all caps,
> no punctuation on the abbreviation) was from a direct mailing database
> program. I half expected to see it followed by "You may have already
Mark;
Answering Detweiler's posts serves no purpose. He is not in his right
mind. Most people who believe that there is a nationwide conspiracy
out to get them do not need rational argument -- they need
psychological care. Its unlikely he's even going to think you are a
seperate person arguing against him, as he's convinced that we are all
either Tim May or Eric Hughes "pseudospoofing" him. Answering him is
an action similar to prodding a caged bear with a hot poker.
Perry
NODE 3fe06aa5Re: Key Servers
"Perry E. Metzger" <pmetzger@lehman.com>Wed, 17 Nov 93 07:54:23 PST
Derek Atkins says:
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
>
> > Seems to me, MR EICHIN, that many people might be FLABBERGASTED to find
> > out that people are using PGP key servers for PSEUDOSPOOFING.
>
> No, it seems that only *you* are flabbergasted. As has been stated
[...]
Please do not answer Mr. Detweiler. There is very little to be gained
in trying to explain things to a paranoid psychotic. Mr. Detweiler
needs sympathy and psychiatric treatment, not information on how key
servers work. It is both useless and cruel to answer his rants --
useless because he cannot understand reason because of his mental
problems, and cruel because this only enhances his paranoid delusion
that there is a global conspiracy in progress to attack and destroy
him.
The best and most rational way to cope with him is not to interact
with him.
Perry
NODE 358cdcbbRe: Key Servers
Derek Atkins <warlord@MIT.EDU>Sun, 14 Nov 93 21:00:17 PST
> <sigh> nobody is interested in preventing pseudospoofing here. the
> people who have most maneuvered themselves into a position to aid
> future cyberspace are instead constraining it. that's the point, isn't
> it? gosh, how could I have been so blind...
I think its because we don't see pseudospoofing as a "danger" like you
do. Personally, I consider it a necessity. I like being able to hide
behind an anonymous identity (not that I do, mind you). I don't see
pseudospoofing as "constraining". On the contrary, I see it as
freeing us.
As an example, look at Ender's Game, where Ender's brother and sister
get on the net under pseudonyms, and get treated just like everyone
else. There is no biases. People are judged on their actions and
words, not by who they are, how old they are, what they look like, or
anything like that. Maybe you are blind, I don't know. I've never
met you.
> so, Mr. Keyserver, considering that this (your?) software could be used
> TODAY to help build up a true identity system, why do you oppose using
> it in that fashion? I mean, besides that you are a Cypherpunk.
No the software isn't mine, but I consider myself it's God Father.
Mike Graff (explorer@iastate.edu) and I were talking about this a long
time, and he just beat me to learning enough PERL to write the thing.
But I'd like to think that the two of us did most all of the design of
it. So, in a way, it is my software.
And, as I said, it is not the job of the Keyserver to provide any sort
of policy. The job of the Keyserver is to distribute keys. Nothing
more. Nothing less. The job of identifying True Names is solely a
job for Digital Signatures, not a job for the Keyserver.
I oppose using it in a bogus fashion because the software is not
designed for such a use, there is absolutely no protection for it (any
key can be added), because I, and all the other Keyserver admins,
believe that all the keyservers should be interconnected, and because
I feel the job for determining a True Name on a key is a job for
Digital Signatures, not for the Keyserver.
I am a cypherpunk. I don't believe in trusting something on faith
alone, but you seem to be asking for that. There is no way to protect
such a reckless use of the Keyserver. The only way to provide a
secure way for True Names is to Cryptographically identify them.
So, Mr. Detweiler, why do you oppose using Digital Signatures to
verify True Names? I mean, besides that you consider yourself a
Cypherpunk? ;-)
-derek
NODE 7b5b6dfcRe: Key Servers
"L. Detweiler" <ld231782@longs.lance.colostate.edu>Sun, 14 Nov 93 21:40:18 PST
>I think its because we don't see pseudospoofing as a "danger" like you
>do. Personally, I consider it a necessity. I like being able to hide
>behind an anonymous identity (not that I do, mind you). I don't see
>pseudospoofing as "constraining". On the contrary, I see it as
>freeing us.
DAMNIT! will you CYPHERPUNKS stop CONFLATING
1) pseudonymity
2) anonymity
3) pseudoanonymity
you jerks CONTINUE to claim that (1) (2) and (3) are EQUIVALENT
>No the software isn't mine, but I consider myself it's God Father.
>Mike Graff (explorer@iastate.edu) and I were talking about this a long
>time, and he just beat me to learning enough PERL to write the thing.
>But I'd like to think that the two of us did most all of the design of
>it. So, in a way, it is my software.
Oh. I see. And you would regulate its use on the Internet. Gosh, that
sounds kind of like one of those fascist oppressive restrictions by an
outside authority. Something to bludgeon.
>And, as I said, it is not the job of the Keyserver to provide any sort
>of policy. The job of the Keyserver is to distribute keys. Nothing
>more. Nothing less. The job of identifying True Names is solely a
>job for Digital Signatures, not a job for the Keyserver.
Call it a Keyserver, or a Digital Signature Server or a Toxic Waste
Dump, frankly, I don't care what you call it.
>I am a cypherpunk. I don't believe in trusting something on faith
>alone, but you seem to be asking for that.
you `cypherpunks' have no idea what a true society constitutes. trust
is inherent to one. you guys all subscribe to the idea, `nothing is bad
if you can get away with it.' `if you can get away with it, you should try it.'
we'll see who has the last laugh.
HA, HA.
NODE 6669a7faRe: Key Servers
cman@IO.COM (Douglas Barnes)Sun, 14 Nov 93 21:03:58 PST
> false. There could be a network of `true identity' key servers just as
> easily as there is a network of PSEUDOSPOOFED LIES.
>
Why don't you just do the following, which would serve everyone's
interests, and would be well within the spirit of the movement:
1) Encourage the existing plan to have *all* PGP keys served.
2) Provide a service (possibly for a small fee) wherein people could
send you copies of their PGP key along with a notarized statement.
3) Sign those keys with your key, or a key you generate for this
purpose.
4) (optionally) provide a service mapping from keys -> Real Names,
for the ultra-paranoid.
People who share your concerns about pseudospoofing would make you
their most trusted (or only trusted) signer of keys. Presto. Those
who care, can believe only those keys signed by you are real. Those
who don't give a damn, believe what they want.
--
---------------- /\
Douglas Barnes cman@illuminati.io.com / \
Chief Wizard (512) 448-8950 (d), 447-7866 (v) / () \
Illuminati Online metaverse.io.com 7777 /______\
NODE 7f49a181Re: Key Servers
"L. Detweiler" <ld231782@longs.lance.colostate.edu>Sun, 14 Nov 93 21:50:51 PST
Mr. Barnes somehow found it possible to write me without assaulting me
with vicious ad hominem attacks, vilifications, obfuscations,
misrepresentations, all approaching blatant lies, completely tangential
points to my posts, and cc:ing my postmaster this time. My postmaster
and I thank you. It is free, too, of a subtle hint of censoring or
blackmailing me by going to `various former classmates and old friends
of mine who are computation center employees, faculty, and
administration members at CSU now.' No tarring me as a `overeager
wannabe' (well, I don't wannabe a pseudospoofer) and a `full fledged
psychopath' on `medication'...
>Why don't you just do the following, which would serve everyone's
>interests, and would be well within the spirit of the movement:
`movement'? I thought there was no cypherpunk movement. There is only software.
[identity database]
>1) Encourage the existing plan to have *all* PGP keys served.
I dunno. This is a big step. The choice at this point could really
affect future cyberspace, eh? Frankly, I think serious professional
uses of the internet are fundamentally incompatible with
pseudospoofing, and will make design decisions based on that
incontrovertable premise. Like quarantining databases from existing
toxic waste dumps.
>4) (optionally) provide a service mapping from keys -> Real Names,
> for the ultra-paranoid.
you have just classified 99.9 % of the population as `ultra paranoid'.
But that .1% of the degenerates have never understood the idea of civility anyway.
>People who share your concerns about pseudospoofing would make you
>their most trusted (or only trusted) signer of keys. Presto. Those
>who care, can believe only those keys signed by you are real. Those
>who don't give a damn, believe what they want.
hee, hee. or believe in elaborate, complex fantasies straight from SF...
As an example, look at Ender's Game, where Ender's brother and sister
get on the net under pseudonyms, and get treated just like everyone
else. There is no biases. People are judged on their actions and
words, not by who they are, how old they are, what they look like, or
anything like that. Maybe you are blind, I don't know. I've never
met you.
who wrote that? I forget <g>
>Mike Graff (explorer@iastate.edu) and I were talking about this a long
>time, and he just beat me to learning enough PERL to write the thing.
>But I'd like to think that the two of us did most all of the design of
>it. So, in a way, it is my software.
I wonder if Mr. Graff would like to weigh in in this little discussion.
NODE 38554dadRe: Key Servers
paul@poboy.b17c.ingr.com (Paul Robichaux)Mon, 15 Nov 93 06:41:05 PST
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> >4) (optionally) provide a service mapping from keys -> Real Names,
> > for the ultra-paranoid.
> you have just classified 99.9 % of the population as `ultra paranoid'.
> But that .1% of the degenerates have never understood the idea of
> civility anyway.
You have made some contributions to the net in the past. I
will try to proceed without calling names or poking fun.
The fact that PGP doesn't bind True Names and keys is not important to
me, nor to many others like me.
I go by the code of the Old West: a man's reputation is established by what
he does. Period. In our case, that equates to "an entity's reputation
is established by the content of its posts." Real identity just isn't
important.
For example, Wonderer has established itself as a smart, literate,
eager-to-learn entity. I look forward to its posts, and I don't care
who owns that pseudonym.
The content is important, not the source.
- -Paul
- --
Paul Robichaux, KD4JZG | Caution: cutting edge is sharp. Avoid contact.
Intergraph Federal Systems | Be a cryptography user - ask me how.
** Of course I don't speak for Intergraph. **
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: 2.3a
iQCVAgUBLOeUaSA78To+806NAQGEzAP/QREwLyHRxDAOjSBg5x5FxunOJtBUg7am
SCutuPEhZQ0ygRt2LAi2b6peU03ZWPw/TRRCWdlO2NqmgKcJW+nqbcdz4jt0Ocqi
uzrcWcVAq0/8QniNH6avdrog5H90TN9WhRCWzrLJpaDGg6Hsc4cM/VCLsUY1xx3s
mIa9l5ERYV8=
=SlFR
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
NODE 45b047fbRe: Key Servers
"L. Detweiler" <ld231782@longs.lance.colostate.edu>Tue, 16 Nov 93 21:14:14 PST
perobich@ingr.com
>For example, Wonderer has established itself as a smart, literate,
>eager-to-learn entity. I look forward to its posts, and I don't care
>who owns that pseudonym.
Wonderer is a D.Denning admirer. Was it Wonderer who Wondered about
what would happen if someone found a way to thwart PGP and read
everyone's mail on the sly? Reminds me of Medusa never telling anyone of her Snakes.
hee, hee, the fireworks continue.