45: A high level introduction to cryptography

45: A high level introduction to cryptography

Author: FOSS and Crafts May 25, 2022 Duration: 0:00

In this episode we give a very (very) high level introduction to cryptography concepts. No math or programming background required!

Links:

  • Crypto 101, probably the BEST book for learning about cryptography concepts. And a relevant talk from PyCon!

  • We mentioned RSA, which is the first publicly published algorithm for public key cryptography. These days most public key cryptography uses elliptic curves instead. It's possible that in the future, something else will be recommended instead!

  • Playing around with GnuPG can be a great way to learn about cryptography as a user, but... it's also not the easiest thing to learn either, and we don't personally believe that GPG/PGP's web of trust model is a realistic path for user security. (But what we recommend instead, that's a topic for a future episode.) Still, a useful tool in all sorts of ways.

  • Mixing and matching these things at a low level can be tricky, and unexpected vulnerabilities can easily occur. Cryptographic Right Answers has been a useful page, but the cryptography world keeps moving!


There's a quiet hum of activity in the spaces where code meets clay, where shared patterns build both software and sweaters. FOSS and Crafts lives in that overlap, exploring the tangible connections between free and open-source software and the hands-on world of making. Each episode is a conversation that wanders from the philosophy of shared source code to the practical joys of knitting, woodworking, electronics, or any craft fueled by community and open knowledge. You'll hear from people who see little distinction between contributing to a software project and preserving a traditional skill; both are acts of care passed along. This podcast digs into how these parallel cultures solve problems, welcome newcomers, and sustain themselves not through scarcity but through abundance. It’s for anyone who has ever felt the satisfaction of fixing something with a well-placed line of code or a perfectly sewn stitch, and who believes the best things are often made together. Tune in for thoughtful discussions that are less about tutorials and more about the underlying spirit of creation, all while keeping your hands busy.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 63

FOSS and Crafts
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