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Gerald Davies wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid:47B8821F-4492-4A7C-8A70-705D015E7264@gmail.com"
type="cite">
<pre wrap="">On 9 Apr 2009, at 08:36...
</pre>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre wrap="">Oddly enough I looked up key signing last night and this seems an
excellent HOWTO -> <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://linuxreviews.org/howtos/gnupg/signingparty/">http://linuxreviews.org/howtos/gnupg/signingparty/</a>
PGR
</pre>
</blockquote>
<pre wrap=""><!---->
Gosh! Do people still bother with these? I'm not knocking it, but
since not *everyone* uses it, I find it a tad pointless.
IIRC, the last time someone signed an email on a list they got flamed
for it being a waste of time.
I can understand it's uses, but why not make better use of your time
with talks, informal show'n'tells, chats, etc.
Not my idea of a party! ;-)
</pre>
</blockquote>
<br>
It is not my idea either. Obviously encryption has its uses, but there
are some glaring logical errors in that HOWTO.<br>
<br>
The first is the notion that a Passport or Driving Licence is proof of
identity.<br>
I have mentioned this before, these are government offices who do not
now everyone.<br>
It is an example of the "identify delusion".<br>
Nobody can prove who they are except to people who have known them
while they have grown up.<br>
Usually only family. I said this to someone once and their answer was
"And your dad's only got your mam's word on it". :-)<br>
<br>
But to be serious about it. government backed ID has to be easy to get
for everyone to be able to do it<br>
therefore it is relatively easy to get falsely.<br>
<br>
Secondly it goes to great lengths to say that it is not safe to take
your computer because of the minute risk that someone might tamper with
it.<br>
Yet it tells you quite blithely to show your Driving Licence which
carries your name address and date of birth to any Tom, Dick, or Flash
Harry that turns up.<br>
These are the very things that a confidence trickster needs in order to
impersonate you and get the false ID I have been talking about.<br>
<br>
Neil<br>
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