Re: LYNX-DEV https/ssl question

[Alan Cox]

> Yes, I'm in NJ, a US citizen, and this is for my private use.

It must be private noncommercial or research use..

> * what are rsaref and rsa?  How do I use one and not the other?  Do I
>   have to download something else?  (If there's documentation that could
>   answer these questions, please direct me to it.)

RSA is an algorithm for encryption (Rivest Shamir Adleman I believe it
stands for). The US recognizes patents on algorithms, while the rest of the
world considers it a stupid idea (on the grounds maths is discovered not
invented) - anyway folks who want to argue about patents see www.lpf.org 
I think the URL is

RSA releases RSAref in the USA which is a fairly slow RSA implementation
licensed for personal non commercial use. Its not licensed for use outside
of the USA, but the rest of the world uses faster free RSA that you cannot
without breaking the patent

> * I've seen a number of posts to lynx-dev mentioning "ITAR" and US export
>   proxy code (which Fote says does more than his patches) and the
..
>   Also, Fote says to get his code all one needs to do is email affirming
>   US citizenship, etc.  Seems like if trade is REALLY restricted, it would
>   require more than an email exchange.

The regulations are fairly potty. But if you were to tell Fote you were
a US citizen then export the code he could end up in jail for 5 years.
Lots of people are trying to sort out this whole lunatic mess - in 
paticular the eff (www.eff.org) have some info on it, and Dan Bernstein
is currently pursuing it as a free speech consitutional violation

Alan

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