Marco DI LEO wrote:

> > Microchip app note AN583 covers implementing DES on a 17C42. I haven't
> > read it (or used it, of course) so I can't vouch for its accuracy! <G>
> >
> > Sean
>
> I know, but if you live outside the U.S.A. they can't give you the code
> because "strong" crypto is considered a weapon (even if DES is no longer
> strong as it used to be). That's wy, on my page, I asked non-US citizen
> to not download the code from the US-located provider I use and to
> request the routines by email (I do not live in the U.S.A. so I am not
> exporting anything from there).

Marco,
You might be interested to know that the USA have spy domes even in New
Zealand.  Suposedly this is to cover the Pacific region, however this
does not make us feel any more secure in New Zealand (located in the
Pacific region)  I rather suspect that their covert activities include
transmissions of other peoples "confidential" messages encrypted using
above DES methods.

Of course this is the "great American way" of aggressive strategy so
epitomised by Bill Gates.

Typically the best advertising is to provide blatant restrictions and
then to allow countervention of the restrictions under weak protest.   I
am not familiar with any common DES varieties, but because the USA
"apparently" protects USA local DES, does not necessesarily mean that it
is the ultimate standard.   I don't want to debate the validity of these
data encryption standards, but I can see the potential in this scenario
for mass acceptance of a product "supplied" under dubious circumstances
by a very aggressive country.

regards,
a reluctant MS user considering LINUX,
Graham Daniel