Nym Config Messages

One of the more complicated and error prone aspects of using nyms is producing the nym config message that creates the nym. After getting the message retrieval portion of this program complete, it occurred to me that I have enough info on the nyms that it is relatively easy to generate a nym create message.

It isn't necessary that you create your nym via this program, however, from the info you've given on your nym, QSA can do that for you if you should need the service.

There are now 2 kinds of nymservers. Ghio nymservers and Zax nymservers. Ghio nymservers have been with us for near 2 decades. That system was designed early in the remailer revolution and like most software of the time, it is very complicated. The other system, Zax nymservers, is a recent development. The newer Zax style  was designed from the ground up to be simple and easy to understand. Both systems have dedicated followings.

Zax Nyms
If you are new to nyms, Zax type is where you want to start. They require a minimum of info from you and that makes them very easy to set up. All that is required is a PGP key created with the nym's email address--with the domain of a nymserver--and a subject line for this program to find the messages by in alt.anonymous.messages, You can determine which nymservers are Zax type, click 'Tools|Nymservers' on the QSA main menu.

Ghio Nyms
Ghio nyms are very complicated, It's not my intention to teach you all about them. If that's what you want to use, you must have a fairly technical background. You can certainly google info on the creation and use of those nyms.

Ghio Reply Blocks
These nyms use a 'reply-block' to define a series of remailers for incoming nym messages to make their way to the nym owner's mailbox. It's been determined that it's unsafe for reply blocks to terminate at the users mailbox. The only mailbox safe for all types nyms is the newsgroup, alt.anonymous.messages. The type reply-blocks created by QSA are direct delivery to a.a.m. That is to say, QSA does not produce reply-blocks that travel through one or more remailers prior to delivery to a.a.m. One benefit of this approach is that reliability is enhanced by avoiding the trip through a remailer chain.

Modifying Config Messages
After message creation, If you wish to modify the body of the config request, you can, but take care. Changing the format of the message could result in a failed config request. Change the body of the message only if you are technically astute and know what you're doing.

The NymConfig Template
When you create a Nym Config message, you are asked to select a template to apply to the message. Nothing special is required. A simple anon reply template is fine. For example, this is a good template:

Fcc: nymcfg
Host: yourdesiredhost.com
From: nobody@nowhere.net
Chain: *,*,*; copies=2;
To: 

~~

In QSL, if you name a template, 'nymconfig', that template will automatically be selected for all config messages.