Re: What remains to be done.

[Black Unicorn <unicorn@schloss.li>]

On Thu, 4 Jul 1996, attila wrote:

> Addressed to: Black Unicorn <unicorn@schloss.li>
>               Cypherpunks <cypherpunks@toad.com>
> 
> ** Reply to note from Black Unicorn <unicorn@schloss.li> 07/03/96 10:17pm -0400
> 
> 	good "white paper."
> 
> 	modularity is the key.  use of standardized encryption libraries 
>     permitting user selection of one or more formats.

Agreed.

> 	message pools would be great from satellite channels --how do you 
>     regulate (read this as "pay for") since someone must receive the messages to 
>     uplink?  -otherwise you have the dropouts of USENET.

I think that one of the faults of the mentality of development is that
people think "who will pay" first, rather than making a hack first, and
then trying to apply it to a more commercial context.

Seems to have worked with PGP/Netscape/Yahoo/<insert startup high tech IPO
here>.

> 	user interface is the achilles heel for most programmers --the time is 
>     spent making the code 'work.'  with the tools available which allow multi-
>     platform development, the *functional* GUI should be done by someone who
>     creates "artitstic" interfaces.

Concur.

> 	I agree-- if encryption can be made so simple, and with a clean user 
>     interface, it will be used by joe sixpack (who rarely likes uncle, anyway 
>     --but for different reasons). once joe sixpack starts to use (probably 
>     dropping his private keys...), then it is too pervasive to stop --even if 
>     there are a few high level prosecutions.

Exactly.

> 	one of our greatest failings v/v encryption as a group (including 
>     coderpunks) is we are satisfied with our access to encrytion. PGP is a 
>     nusiance, and the instructions are not clear --so we experiment until we get 
>     the results: on the command line.  

Concur most strongly.

> 	our satisfaction makes us insular; we need to think in global terms --mass 
>     marketing of a free product which will hold appeal for everyone.  encryption 
>     is no different than the students in China --no, they do have it, but how long 
>     can Father Deng (and his successors) hang on against technology and quest for 
>     knowledge?

All most important questions to consider.

I think if people begin to write modularly there will be nice front ends
for almost everything.

> --
> Fuck off, Uncle Sam. Cyberspace is where democracy lives!
> 
>