An asshole using PGP

I just received a PGP-encryptd message from Douglas Floyd, just after
explaining carefully the work that's needed to decrypt PGP messages.

I dutifully clipped the article, moved the text into my text editor,
fired up MacPGP, entered my key, etc.

The message was banal, and is included below:

---begin his message---

What's wrong with putting your private key on a UNIX box?

(Obviously, I AM root on the boxes I have the key on, and the boxes
are firewalled to boot.)

---end his message---

There was no need for this to be PGPed, no need even to ask it,
period, as I had already made the point about the dangers being for
boxes one is *not* root on, etc.

I conclude from this that Douglas Floyd is just an asshole. One I
don't plan to ever respond to again.

Only a prick would make a point to send me a PGP message, encrypted to
my published key, only to make such a point.

For some reason the number of fools and lightweights around here has
jumped dramatically in recent months.

--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: 2^859433 | Public Key: PGP and MailSafe available.
"National borders are just speed bumps on the information superhighway."

> I just received a PGP-encryptd message from Douglas Floyd, just after
> explaining carefully the work that's needed to decrypt PGP messages.
> 
> I dutifully clipped the article, moved the text into my text editor,
> fired up MacPGP, entered my key, etc.

I don't mind so much Tim calling someone a prick in public (shit happens),
but I *do* find it ethically objectionable that Tim chose to post what was
essentially private email to the list.  The "instant reply"  feature of
the net tends to sometimes breed poor ethical choices based on anger,
rather than good sense. 

No, Tim, this isn't a flame - just pointing out that to post private email
without permission is rather rude. 
-- 
Ed Carp, N7EKG    			Ed.Carp@linux.org, ecarp@netcom.com
Finger ecarp@netcom.com for PGP 2.5 public key		an88744@anon.penet.fi
If you want magic, let go of your armor.  Magic is so much stronger than
steel!        -- Richard Bach, "The Bridge Across Forever"