PGP source code and internals
by Philip Zimmermann · first published 1995
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I haven't read it, but "PGP: Source Code and Internals", by PGP's author Philip Zimmerman is worth a try. I've read his other book "Official PGP User's Guide" and learned quite a bit. https://www.amazon.com/PGP-Internals-Philip-R-Zimmermann/dp/...
on “Ask HN: Is there a “ground-up” explanation of PGP/GnuPG?” ↗…paper, because that's something which is well established and understood. As soon as computers get involved, people get this idea that old rules no longer apply "because computers". This is why the book PGP Source Code and Internals was published; because ink on paper makes the matter clear cut.
on “X sues Calif. to avoid revealing how it makes “controversial” content decisions” ↗…observed thirty years ago, you can always just print out your source code on paper and bind it as a book. Can the US government outlaw a book? Of course not. - "In 1995, Zimmermann published the book PGP Source Code and Internals as a way to bypass limitations on exporting digital code. Zimmermann's introduction says the book contains "all of the C source code to a software package called PGP" and that the unusual publication…
on “On Linux MAINTAINERS file removal of Russian developers” ↗One key part is that the crypto wars were around export, lest we forget "PGP Source Code and Internals". If there was no international business, any-strength crypto would have been and could have been used.
on “The sins of the 90s: Questioning a puzzling claim about mass surveillance” ↗