[GPGrelay-Talk] v0.956 pre-release "(unusable)" key

[Kevin Coates]

Hello GPGrelay-Talk!

My main key has several userIDs:

Primary:
Kevin Coates

Secondary:
GSWoT:1:315:3A8E5CAD
Kevin Coates (Lists) <***@kcoates.com>
Kevin Coates (SMTP port 25025) <***@kbc.dyndns.org>
Kevin Coates <ICQ:2737351>

When using GPGrelay to sign keys (right click in Keyrules) the phrase
"(unusable)" appears with this key. My other private keys simply show
the key's comment field.

I presume this is because the e-mail address is not contained in the
primary userID even though it is in 2 of the secondary ones. The
previous GPGR version didn't display this.

I seem to be able to sign in spite of the "(unusable)" notation, so I
think its only cosmetic. Is this True???

- --
Kevin Coates
Dewitt, NY USA

Using GPGrelay v0.956 under Windows XP 5.1.2600 SP2
________________________________________________________________

[dynacore//.tSCc.]

Hi!

Post by Kevin Coates
Kevin Coates
GSWoT:1:315:3A8E5CAD
Kevin Coates <ICQ:2737351>
When using GPGrelay to sign keys (right click in Keyrules) the phrase
"(unusable)" appears with this key. My other private keys simply show
the key's comment field.
I presume this is because the e-mail address is not contained in the
primary userID even though it is in 2 of the secondary ones. The
previous GPGR version didn't display this.
I seem to be able to sign in spite of the "(unusable)" notation, so I
think its only cosmetic. Is this True???

You're right, the "unusable" is only cosmetic. It simply emphasizes that GPGrelay isn't using that UserID, because it cannot find a suitable Email-Addr. in it.
The actual signing requires the KeyID of a secret Key, and the UserIDs are just required to come to the right (Primary) KeyID.
The primary UserID is just telling the world, which name/address you prefer, so there's no further magic added to it (in contrast to Primary- and Subkeys).

If you think the "unusable"-Comment is too confusing, I'll remove it (it's just a Resource-String to change).
Or maybe change it to "unused"?
Other ideas?


And what do you mean with "My other private keys simply show the key's comment field."?
This feels like a bug, can you give a full example, please?



Bye!

[Kevin Coates]

Hi dynacore//.tSCc.,

On Mon, 14 Feb 2005 20:46:41 +0100 (2:46 PM here), dynacore//.tSCc.

Post by Kevin Coates
I seem to be able to sign in spite of the "(unusable)" notation, so
I think its only cosmetic. Is this True???

dt> You're right, the "unusable" is only cosmetic. It simply
dt> emphasizes that GPGrelay isn't using that UserID, because it
dt> cannot find a suitable Email-Addr. in it.

Okay ... GPGrelay can still use the UserID but its noting that it
can't find an e-mail address.


dt> The actual signing requires the KeyID of a secret Key, and the
dt> UserIDs are just required to come to the right (Primary) KeyID.
dt> The primary UserID is just telling the world, which name/address
dt> you prefer, so there's no further magic added to it (in contrast
dt> to Primary- and Subkeys).

I understand.

dt> If you think the "unusable"-Comment is too confusing, I'll remove
dt> it (it's just a Resource-String to change). Or maybe change it to
dt> "unused"? Other ideas?

Well my personal needs may not be useful to others. I tend to use my
real name rather than a handle and have several keys for different
purposes. I use GPG's Comment Field to help me differentiate these
keys when using the tray tool or in the key manager.

For example using fake e-mail addresses:

Kevin Coates (Lists) ***@xxx.com
Kevin Coates (Private) ***@xxx.com
Kevin Coates (Misc) ***@xxx.com
Kevin Coates (Usenet) ***@xxx.com

dt> And what do you mean with "My other private keys simply show the
dt> key's comment field."? This feels like a bug, can you give a full
dt> example, please?

I spoke too hastily. :) After examining the sign pop-up it shows my:

Name_Field (Comment_Field) E-Mail_Address;User_Attribute

except in the case of this key where it shows:

Name_Field (unusable) Unusable_Address_Field(unusable)

It would be nice (for me) if it showed:

Name_Field (Comment_Field) ***unusable address***Unusable_Address

This would just make it a little easier to pick out the address I
usually sign with by being able to view the GPG Comment Field. Its not
a big deal though.

- --
Kevin Coates
Dewitt, NY USA

Using GPGrelay v0.956 under Windows XP 5.1.2600 SP2
________________________________________________________________

[dynacore//.tSCc.]

Hi!
Aah, the Popups!
Actually I intended not to show the decorations there (only for the Key-View, where any Detail might be interesting).

Post by Kevin Coates
This would just make it a little easier to pick out the address I
usually sign with by being able to view the GPG Comment Field. Its not
a big deal though.

No, you're right, the Popups shouldn't bother you with what GPGrelay can work with, because it's you that works with them :)

In fact the Popups are the way round to the email-addresses: You see the UserIDs (beginning with the Primary UID) followed by the other's with a max of n chars to pick up a key.
The Popups could also show all UIDs you have with a Secret Key, but I thought this would be a too big popup to present :)



Bye!

[Kevin Coates]

Hi dynacore//.tSCc.,

On Tue, 15 Feb 2005 19:45:49 +0100 (1:45 PM here), dynacore//.tSCc.
dt> Aah, the Popups! Actually I intended not to show the decorations
dt> there (only for the Key-View, where any Detail might be
dt> interesting).

The only frustrating part (not your fault) is the window closes when I
attempt to capture it with my screen capture tool. Any keypress closes
the window. <sigh>

Post by Kevin Coates
This would just make it a little easier to pick out the address I
usually sign with by being able to view the GPG Comment Field. Its
not a big deal though.

dt> No, you're right, the Popups shouldn't bother you with what
dt> GPGrelay can work with, because it's you that works with them :)

Fortunately I can pick out the one that I want .. I just have to pay
attention. :)

dt> In fact the Popups are the way round to the email-addresses: You
dt> see the UserIDs (beginning with the Primary UID) followed by the
dt> other's with a max of n chars to pick up a key. The Popups could
dt> also show all UIDs you have with a Secret Key, but I thought this
dt> would be a too big popup to present :)

Yes, if you showed all the information the pop-up would take over my
screen. haha

- --
Kevin Coates
Dewitt, NY USA

Using GPGrelay v0.956 under Windows XP 5.1.2600 SP2
________________________________________________________________

[dynacore//.tSCc.]

Hi!

Post by Kevin Coates
The only frustrating part (not your fault) is the window closes when I
attempt to capture it with my screen capture tool. Any keypress closes
the window. <sigh>

Hm, isn't PrntScrn working this way anymore?

Post by Kevin Coates
Fortunately I can pick out the one that I want .. I just have to pay
attention. :)

No problem, I'll remove it for the popups :)



Bye!

[Kevin Coates]

Hi dynacore//.tSCc.,

On Thu, 17 Feb 2005 19:39:20 +0100 (1:39 PM here), dynacore//.tSCc.

Post by Kevin Coates
The only frustrating part (not your fault) is the window closes
when I attempt to capture it with my screen capture tool. Any
keypress closes the window. <sigh>

dt> Hm, isn't PrntScrn working this way anymore?

That might work but I usually capture a region rather than the whole
screen.

Post by Kevin Coates
Fortunately I can pick out the one that I want .. I just have to pay
attention. :)

dt> No problem, I'll remove it for the popups :)

Keep the gpg Comment field though.

- --
Kevin Coates
Dewitt, NY USA

Using GPGrelay v0.956 under Windows XP 5.1.2600 SP2
________________________________________________________________