EU Draft Digital Signature Directive

[George Foot]

On Thu 27 Aug, Brian Gladman wrote:
> 
> But a written signature is no different - it says nothing about the
> trustworhiness of its owner - so surely the term 'digital signature' is
> reasonable in this respect?


Logical ?  To the specialist YES.   

But what matters in the reaction of ordinary people who have never given 
such matters any thought.  The word "signature" has an aura of 
respectability which is allied in the non-specialist mind to "trust" 
however much this is unjustified.

Why not call this "spade" by its correct name.

The term "digital signature" stems from the use of this term in the 
original RSA paper of April 1977 and the celebrated authors at that
time expected that a digital signature would mean much more than 
authentication of origin -- and said so. 

If you wish to continue the discussion, let us do so privately.

Best Regards,

George. 



















- 
George Foot
georgefoot@oxted.demon.co.uk
Web Page.  http://www.oxted.demon.co.uk