To Many Secrets

FTLComm - Tisdale - September 18, 1999

To Many Secrets
In the motion picture "Sneakers" we were confronted with the paranoid character played by Dan Akaroid and the cautious and sophisticated computer whiz, played by Robert Redford. In the movie, the focus of their activities becomes a combination of the two attitudes, intense suspicion of the government and big business and intellectual freedom and technological development. Redford's character, discovers that the truth is closer to Dan Akaroid's strange world, then any of us would like and the adventure revolves around the phrase "To Many Secrets"

Few other nations in the world has its roots so firmly planted in rebellion
This past week we have discovered some details of the extent of this problem and we will be years, perhaps a generation, sorting out what is appropriate. There has been an ongoing struggle in the United States since its shaky emergence from being a former British colony and having to deal with mixed loyalties within its military and even the civilian population. Few other nations in the world has its roots so firmly planted in rebellion and confusion over loyalty. We who are not Americans, are so often confused at the overt displays of nationalism, not realising that Americans historically and presently, are constantly having to assert their identity and re-create what they think they, as a people, are.

Americans have never let a good story be ruined by elements of truth
I realise that this does not explain the American mentality, or what seems like a truly goofy way of doing things, but it is at least a hint into the confusing form reality takes in the world's most powerful nation. The American self awareness problem reached its peak during the Senate hearings into un-American Activities that occurred when I was a child. The technological advancements of Americans were for the most part, advertising hype, but the public bought the idea that America had actually invented the nuclear bomb, radar and other secret marvels, when in fact, they were actually behind in many fields, especially missile technology. Nevertheless, Americans have never let a good story be ruined by elements of truth.

trickery and designed failure
Long before the Cold War American government agencies had been obsessed with concerns about espionage and the last half of the century they have carried this to some amazing extremes. There is a second theme that runs through the American psyche and that is the need for government agencies to be able to battle crime. With the coming of extensive use of computer technology these two obsessions have combined into what could be a crippling combination of trickery and designed failure.

The United States claims sovereignty over the use of codes
The United States has a whole series of laws set up to govern a wide range of things that somehow might affect "National Security" and sitting in the midst of all this is the National Security Agency. The NSA (often referred to as No Such Agency) has been very busy in the past two decades trying to plug every possible leak in what might pose any threat to America's dominance of the world. These laws and regulations affect all people who use computer technology, no matter where they live and some are remarkable. The most obvious intrusion has been into the world of encryption. The United States claims sovereignty over the use of codes that might protect personal privacy of electronic data and this has posed really extensive problems for every person who writes software.

Microsoft Windows can be accessed using this back door
The most recent issues involve the stuff each of us uses every single day. Fearing that criminals or spies might hide their information, or that foreign computer users might be able to hide their secrets, the NSA required that Microsoft include in all of its operating software a "BACK Door" the very thing that the Robert Redford movie was all about. Every computer running Microsoft Windows can be accessed using this back door and allow American spies or law enforcement agents to find what they are looking for. The NSA required this at first only on Windows products being shipped to foreign countries but Microsoft discovered that it was to tricky to do that and just left the back door in all of its operating system software.

the United States Army was forced to remove its web site from Windows computers
Though the problem with encryption was known, and most people suspected that there was a security problem with Microsoft software it was not until last week that it was discovered that this level of governmental paranoia has gone far beyond those two elements. Last week the United States Army was forced to remove its web site from Windows computers and they began using a Macintosh server because there was no way of preventing hackers from getting into their system. The Macintosh system is considered more secure at least that is what we all thought and to date no one knows of an NSA back door into Apple's operating systems. However, this brought to light yet another intrique

G4 processor that can accomplish more then a billion floating point operations in a second
In January, Apple released its G3 Pro computer code named Yosemite. I have one and it has not been an easy computer to use because it came out before the support hardware and accessories were available. Last week Apple released a newer version of this computer with the code name Yikes. It uses a 450 Mhz IBM/Motorola/Apple G4 processor that can accomplish more then a billion floating point operations in a second (a gigaflop). This moves this computer into the "super-computer" category. (The picture of the top of the page has an image of the famous Cray computer in the centre which is considered the ultimate computer because it can do the gigaflop) The NSA has banned the sale of any such computer to much of the world as it is considered a strategic weapon. Apple is presently protesting this ruling so that it can export the computer worldwide. The Yikes motherboard computer is now available and I hope to replace my machine with one shortly, but it is essentially the same computer as the one I am using, only it has the newer fast chip.

in that upgrade was some buried code
The reason for the concern is that in May Apple released a ROM upgrade for my Yosemite machine that was to improve its operations. Indeed after the upgrade my machine ran much more stable but there is now wide spread belief that in that upgrade was some buried code that would prevent upgrade cards from being installed in a machine like mine that would permit it to run the new faster G4 chip. What I am telling you is the it is likely that Apple has deliberately disable machines of the type I am using to prevent them from being purchased by people in countries on the NSA hot list then slipping in the new super computer chip. Macintosh owners are not amused. Apple on the other hand has told its dealers to explain to their customers that it is more efficient for them to buy new machines and more cost effective then upgrading.

the United States using various agencies has been interfering in the development of technology
If all this seems confusing then you have been reading carefully because there is no doubt that the United States using various agencies has been interfering in the development of technology. This interference amounts to extending control over invention, the course of applying that invention and predetermining the use of new developments. One can not image this sort of control being exercised anywhere else in the world yet this country with its elevated language in its consitution appears to be wacking away with an axe at its own toes. Without remarkable technical development our species can not move beyond its energy consuming and environmentally destructive nature. The course of human history depends on step by step technical development to raise the level of life and quality of life for all. It would seem appropriate for a nation like the United States to want to see this process continue yet there is abundant evidence that significant obstruction to development is the ultimate goal of a large and powerful section of that country.

In the mean time here are some simple rules that might help you out:

If you are using Microsoft's Hotmail end that right away. Find a more suitable means of getting email.
Don't put anything on a computer or disk that you don't feel comfortable about it being public knowledge.
Never ever send a Microsoft "Word" file as an email attachment to anyone. Convert the file to a text docment or create a PDF of it and send it in that format.
If you can find alternative applications to ones created by Microsoft consider them for your work.


*FTLComm - Tisdale - September 18, 1999*

To Many Secrets	In the motion picture "*Sneakers" we were confronted with the paranoid character played by Dan Akaroid and the cautious and sophisticated computer whiz, played by Robert Redford. In the movie, the focus of their activities becomes a combination of the two attitudes, intense suspicion of the government and big business and intellectual freedom and technological development. Redford's character, discovers that the truth is closer to Dan Akaroid's strange world, then any of us would like and the adventure revolves around the phrase "To Many Secrets*"

Few other nations in the world has its roots so firmly planted in rebellion	This past week we have discovered some details of the extent of this problem and we will be years, perhaps a generation, sorting out what is appropriate. There has been an ongoing struggle in the United States since its shaky emergence from being a former British colony and having to deal with mixed loyalties within its military and even the civilian population. Few other nations in the world has its roots so firmly planted in rebellion and confusion over loyalty. We who are not Americans, are so often confused at the overt displays of nationalism, not realising that Americans historically and presently, are constantly having to assert their identity and re-create what they think they, as a people, are.

Americans have never let a good story be ruined by elements of truth	I realise that this does not explain the American mentality, or what seems like a truly goofy way of doing things, but it is at least a hint into the confusing form reality takes in the world's most powerful nation. The American self awareness problem reached its peak during the Senate hearings into un-American Activities that occurred when I was a child. The technological advancements of Americans were for the most part, advertising hype, but the public bought the idea that America had actually invented the nuclear bomb, radar and other secret marvels, when in fact, they were actually behind in many fields, especially missile technology. Nevertheless, Americans have never let a good story be ruined by elements of truth.

trickery and designed failure	Long before the Cold War American government agencies had been obsessed with concerns about espionage and the last half of the century they have carried this to some amazing extremes. There is a second theme that runs through the American psyche and that is the need for government agencies to be able to battle crime. With the coming of extensive use of computer technology these two obsessions have combined into what could be a crippling combination of trickery and designed failure.

The United States claims sovereignty over the use of codes	The United States has a whole series of laws set up to govern a wide range of things that somehow might affect "National Security" and sitting in the midst of all this is the National Security Agency. The NSA (often referred to as No Such Agency) has been very busy in the past two decades trying to plug every possible leak in what might pose any threat to America's dominance of the world. These laws and regulations affect all people who use computer technology, no matter where they live and some are remarkable. The most obvious intrusion has been into the world of encryption. The United States claims sovereignty over the use of codes that might protect personal privacy of electronic data and this has posed really extensive problems for every person who writes software.

Microsoft Windows can be accessed using this back door	The most recent issues involve the stuff each of us uses every single day. Fearing that criminals or spies might hide their information, or that foreign computer users might be able to hide their secrets, the NSA required that Microsoft include in all of its operating software a "BACK Door" the very thing that the Robert Redford movie was all about. Every computer running Microsoft Windows can be accessed using this back door and allow American spies or law enforcement agents to find what they are looking for. The NSA required this at first only on Windows products being shipped to foreign countries but Microsoft discovered that it was to tricky to do that and just left the back door in all of its operating system software.

the United States Army was forced to remove its web site from Windows computers	Though the problem with encryption was known, and most people suspected that there was a security problem with Microsoft software it was not until last week that it was discovered that this level of governmental paranoia has gone far beyond those two elements. Last week the United States Army was forced to remove its web site from Windows computers and they began using a Macintosh server because there was no way of preventing hackers from getting into their system. The Macintosh system is considered more secure at least that is what we all thought and to date no one knows of an NSA back door into Apple's operating systems. However, this brought to light yet another intrique

G4 processor that can accomplish more then a billion floating point operations in a second	In January, Apple released its G3 Pro computer code named Yosemite. I have one and it has not been an easy computer to use because it came out before the support hardware and accessories were available. Last week Apple released a newer version of this computer with the code name Yikes. It uses a 450 Mhz IBM/Motorola/Apple G4 processor that can accomplish more then a billion floating point operations in a second (a gigaflop). This moves this computer into the "super-computer" category. (The picture of the top of the page has an image of the famous Cray computer in the centre which is considered the ultimate computer because it can do the gigaflop) The NSA has banned the sale of any such computer to much of the world as it is considered a strategic weapon. Apple is presently protesting this ruling so that it can export the computer worldwide. The Yikes motherboard computer is now available and I hope to replace my machine with one shortly, but it is essentially the same computer as the one I am using, only it has the newer fast chip.

in that upgrade was some buried code	The reason for the concern is that in May Apple released a ROM upgrade for my Yosemite machine that was to improve its operations. Indeed after the upgrade my machine ran much more stable but there is now wide spread belief that in that upgrade was some buried code that would prevent upgrade cards from being installed in a machine like mine that would permit it to run the new faster G4 chip. What I am telling you is the it is likely that Apple has deliberately disable machines of the type I am using to prevent them from being purchased by people in countries on the NSA hot list then slipping in the new super computer chip. Macintosh owners are not amused. Apple on the other hand has told its dealers to explain to their customers that it is more efficient for them to buy new machines and more cost effective then upgrading.

the United States using various agencies has been interfering in the development of technology	If all this seems confusing then you have been reading carefully because there is no doubt that the United States using various agencies has been interfering in the development of technology. This interference amounts to extending control over invention, the course of applying that invention and predetermining the use of new developments. One can not image this sort of control being exercised anywhere else in the world yet this country with its elevated language in its consitution appears to be wacking away with an axe at its own toes. Without remarkable technical development our species can not move beyond its energy consuming and environmentally destructive nature. The course of human history depends on step by step technical development to raise the level of life and quality of life for all. It would seem appropriate for a nation like the United States to want to see this process continue yet there is abundant evidence that significant obstruction to development is the ultimate goal of a large and powerful section of that country.

	In the mean time here are some simple rules that might help you out: If you are using Microsoft's Hotmail end that right away. Find a more suitable means of getting email. Don't put anything on a computer or disk that you don't feel comfortable about it being public knowledge. Never ever send a Microsoft "Word" file as an email attachment to anyone. Convert the file to a text docment or create a PDF of it and send it in that format. If you can find alternative applications to ones created by Microsoft consider them for your work.