Re: intro questions

[jesse hirsh <jesse@tao.ca>]

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i couldn't resist replying to the 'answer' 42

On Wed, 20 Oct 1999, 4 2 wrote:

> Hi,
> So most people on this list probably know the answers to these questions 
> like the back of their hands, but, well...I don't, so I'm asking anyway.

that is a false statement

> 1.  How do I keep my e-mail secure and private?  Is there such a thing?  Do 
> I need to use PGP?

linguistic codes will work much better than encryption. in fact, two cans
and a long ball of string is prolly the most secure.

> 2.  What's this about proxys and cookies?

i dunno, what does it look like? proxys help you vote when you're not
there, and cookies are generally yum. but neither contribute to your
privacy unless effectively disemployed.

> 3.  How do I stop from getting spam and stupid chain letters?

give up email. especially hotmail.

> 4.  How come every time I try to unsubscribe from a list that I haven't even 
> asked to be put on (on onelist, or wherever) it doesn't work?

you didn't use the magic word.

> 5.  If I get unsubbed from a list that I have not unsubbed myself from, and 
> I've recieved no confirmation of it, does that mean somebody got into my 
> account?

not necessarily.

> 6.  How do I stop people from getting into my account?  (Other than changing 
> my password over and over again).

close it.

> 7.  Aren't there ways of getting my password using a numerical sequencer 
> thing that just comes right back on when it gets booted off?

sure, if you want.

> 8.  What's this about hushmail?  Is it secure or is it just some kind of 
> conspiracy to get me and all of my friends to switch over?

there is no conspiracy. there is no cabal.
see http://www.cabal.org
there is no secure webmail

> 9.  How many places does each e-mail I write go to before it reaches it's 
> (hopefully) final destination?  Is there any way to minimize this?

that depends. consider the average a dozen. the best way to minimize it
would either be to a) start and maintain your own server and get everyone
you'd ever communicate to only use that server b) setup VPN tunnels (using
IPSEC perhaps) between all the servers you'd want to send email to.

> 10. How do I know this list isn't being archived somewhere?

it is being archived, by us, and by various state agencies.

> Thanks!!

!!sknahT


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