PGP Assistant v1.0 for Win3.1--------------------------------------------
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DISCLAIMER(s):

PGP Assistant is NOT encryption software.  It is only useful to people who
already have PGP, and should not be mistaken for encryption software.
Since this software contains no encryption technology, it is 100% legal to
export outside of the U.S.   
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Why I wrote PGP Assistant:

I wrote this program with the hope that if PGP was more useable, more people
would use it.  Not every computer user, unlike nerds like me, can remember
all of the command-line parameters required for PGP.  That's exactly what
PGP Assistant does.  It recieves user input through a windows interface, and
passes command-line parameters to PGP.  It is useless without PGP.  This
program, I hope, takes some of the bite out of the learning curve required
for users of PGP.  I know that there are already products out there,
specifically ViaCrypt PGP, that have a *better* user interface, one that is
written in native windows code.  However, I feel that the price charged for
their software (about $100 a pop for a single user) is outrageous.  So that's
the real advantage that this software has.  It's shareware, it's really
cheap, and it HELPS.  Money aside, my real reason for writing it was to make
use of PGP more widespread.  That's all.
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Setting up PGP Assistant

1.  Obviously, the first thing you need to do is pick up a copy of PGP.
    Try ftp.mit.edu.  

2.  Create a program item that runs pgpasst.exe, and double-click on it.

3.  Wonder at the lovely windows interface.

4.  Click on "Specify PGP Directory", and type in the directory that contains
    your copy of PGP.  Make sure your directory does not have a "\" after it,
    E.G., "c:\pgp" is valid, but "c:\pgp\" will cause errors.  I will be
    working on a fix for this.

5.  Click on "Edit your list of User ID's".  The first time you push this
    button, it will show you the contents of your key ring.  Copy down all
    of the User ID's in your ring.  After that, a notepad window will open
    up, at which point you enter the user ID's you have in your public key.
    Enter each User ID in on a new line.  Alas, this part is manual, it is
    not updated automatically when you aquire someone's public key.  It is
    important that the User ID's are entered into notepad VERBATIM.  After
    you finish entering the User ID's, choose exit from the file menu, and
    click on "YES" when you are prompted to save.

6.  There, that wasn't so hard, was it?

7.  I STRONGLY suggest all users read the documentation that comes with PGP.
    I do have neither the time nor the expertise to explain the principles of
    public-key encryption.  Now you have the windows interface, the rest I
    leave to you.  Good luck.  

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Why you should send me $5 for PGP Assistant:

I don't have any time-locks or such on this product, so you're on the honor
system.  But you'll sleep better if you pay me for my hard work.  Also, if I
get a positive response from this, I'm more likely to make updates and fixes
to bugs when users request them.  Convinced?  

Send dough, dough, and more dough to:

Cath Thomas
East Wind Community
Tecumseh, MO 65760
USA

Send bugs and suggestions to:

cath@eastwind.org

Thanx for your participation, 

-Cath
