Silk Road forums

Discussion => Silk Road discussion => Topic started by: somewhereoverthere on November 17, 2011, 11:17 pm

Title: Hello SR and an etiquette question
Post by: somewhereoverthere on November 17, 2011, 11:17 pm
Hello Silk Road community, I'm quite pleased to be here! I have a question regarding communication etiquette using the SR messaging system. When sending a message to a vendor, is it expected and/or understood that said message ought to be encrypted using the vendor's public key, even if it doesn't contain any "sensitive" information (addresses or transaction specifics for example?) I imagine different people will have different tolerances regarding privacy, but don't know what the accepted standard is. My gut says encrypt everything, but I don't want to create additional hassle around casual messaging. Thanks for your help!

Regards,

Somewhereoverthere
Title: Re: Hello SR and an etiquette question
Post by: madamebradley on November 17, 2011, 11:56 pm
I don't mind either way, and prefer to err on the side of caution (and therefore use PGP). Then again I'm not a high volume vendor so I have time that others don't.

I'd say check their profile for an indication for one way or the other. If they're in the top 30 (arbitrary number) they're probably really busy and would save them time if it's just a regular inquiry.

Most vendors are very accommodating and would communicate with you in the way that you prefer. 
Title: Re: Hello SR and an etiquette question
Post by: mito on November 18, 2011, 12:13 am

YMMV
Title: Re: Hello SR and an etiquette question
Post by: vanilla on November 18, 2011, 12:19 am
I do not require it. I offer my public key for those that want to use it. It really is a good idea to use encryption with anything that could be incriminating but it is up to the buyer's discretion. I always respond to inquiries in the same fashion that they are delivered. If someone uses pgp to message me, I use it to reply if I have a key for that user. If someone messages in plain text, I respond in kind. Most vendors that do require it will say so in their profile page. Generally it is a good idea to check there before messaging a vendor.
Title: Re: Hello SR and an etiquette question
Post by: somewhereoverthere on November 18, 2011, 12:34 am
Thanks for the replies and advice, I'm learning the ropes. I've noticed that some people don't specify a preference in their profiles, but since the PGP key is there, why not go ahead and use it, eh?

Regards to all.
Title: Re: Hello SR and an etiquette question
Post by: brainstew on November 18, 2011, 02:21 pm
^^^agree with that from personal experience. I was using pgp even for basic questions and one vendor came back in simple text and said it's a pain in the ass which I can see because if his key is like mine then it's fucking loooonnggg and not easy to type or remember. So I would use encryption for things like giving out your address for shipping and other things as already stated above. I think it's better to use that method and if a vendor wants everything encrypted they'll let you know.