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Modern cryptography has birthed public key cryptosystems, which are elegant pieces of that have guaranteed information safety for decades now. However, there has been worry that these cryptosystems are susceptible to the improving processing power of computers. For instance, public key cryptosystems like and are not based on concrete mathematical proofs but instead are considered secure based on years of public scrutiny with respect to the fundamental process of factoring large into their primes. This process is intractable, which means by the time the encryption algorithms can be cracked, the information it protects would have lost all of its value. encryption algorithms RSA Diffie-Hellman integers In other words, the power of these algorithms lies in the fact that there is no known mathematical operation that can quickly factor large integers into their primes. There will be a way around this if there is a major development in the processing power of contemporary computers. If there becomes the possibility of either a mathematical operation in this regard or improved computing power, businesses, governments, and other institutions would suffer fatal damage. However, quantum cryptography promises to be vulnerable to neither advancement of computing power nor mathematical development. The new therefrom will withstand —a developing technology that is expected to be able to solve mathematical problems, including factoring integers into their primes, that contemporary computers cannot solve. It will complement modern cryptography and strengthen cybersecurity. cryptographic standards quantum computers Quantum cryptography depends solely upon the fundamental and unchanging principles of quantum mechanics—the and the . Heisenberg uncertainty principle photon polarisation principle According to the former, it is impossible to measure the quantum state of a system without disturbing the system. And the latter, which describes how photons of light can be oriented or polarised in specific directions, says that the polarisation of photons of light can only be known at the point of measurement. These principles make a only detect a polarised photon in a particular orientation or else the photon is destroyed. This one-direction-ness that is characteristic of cryptography guarantees data privacy and defeats any eavesdroppers in the communication channel. photon filter quantum According to Charles H. Bennet and Gilles Brassard, photons can be polarised at various orientations, and these orientations can be harnessed to represent bits comprising zeros and ones. The representation of bits with orientation of polarised photons is the bedrock of quantum cryptography, which forms the underlying principle of quantum key distribution. This method will give rise to cryptographic standards that will be ironclad regardless of the computing power of malicious attackers or the development of theorems with which to quickly solve complex integer factorization problems. There has been a development of encryption standards based on quantum cryptography. The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) started the , which received 69 initial viable submissions from all over the world from which there are now .  The candidate algorithms that NIST is running the competitions on all promise that is needed for quantum resistance. post-quantum contest in 2016 7 finalists strong security “The reason they take so long to standardize is because our confidence in them is a function of how many hours really smart people are taking to try to break them,” -said Charles Tahan, director of the national quantum coordination office at the White House, in an interview.

Exploring the Ironclad Encryption Standard 

Words by and Zaira Rasool Alex David Pratt WHAT ARE THE TECHNOLOGICAL POSSIBILITIES THAT EXIST IN THE GAMBIA AND IN AFRICA? The significant impact of technology on society, culture, and economy is undeniable. It has now become common to discuss technology together with innovation, as well as becoming a growing consideration for the government, the law, social initiatives, and families to contend with. How should we use technology for our benefit? What are the risks, and how do we manage them? How can we use technology to enhance our businesses? What safety measures do we need to take to protect our children from unwanted influence? What new possibilities in terms of careers and aspirations does technology make possible? There are some pioneering examples of technology initiatives within Africa. Wave (Fintech) has taken Africa by storm, Maraphones (Locally Manufactured Smartphone), BuXin (Electric Vehicle), Kids in Tech (robotics) and Fortizo Technologies (consumer electronics) are but a few of many other examples. Within the Gambia itself, you see people solving a whole range of social problems with technology (you can hear more about it in ). this video In this article, we will dive deeper into the possibilities that exist for young Gambia, full of innovative and energetic minds who seek better opportunities and environments to thrive, to technologically advance their nations, and to contribute their innovative solutions to the global landscape. WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE? WHAT NEW REALITIES AND SOLUTIONS CAN BE CREATED THROUGH THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGY? The Gambia is in dire need of a change in the status quo. Most of the methods and processes of doing business and more are quite antiquated. Take, for instance, the banking sector; we should have passed the point where people have to queue for long hours just to withdraw money. Change should be initiated in the financial realm, as well as many other areas, and this necessary evolution is possible mainly through the transformative power of technology. Opening up new ways of doing business, creating new lifestyles, and interacting with each other: Until now, many within Africa may have felt limited by the skills, knowledge, and resources available within the country and, to some extent, lost hope or the ability to look to the sky and dream big. However, with the increasing access to technology and the access to information that comes with it, Gambians have new opportunities at their fingertips. With time, this allows us to dream bigger and imagine new realities for our prospects and lives. Opening up the imagination and sense of empowerment through technology: Technology wields the power of solving some of the most pressing problems in the Gambia, illegal migration included. We can create innovative solutions to these problems and then communicate and take action to solve them without the need to leave our homes. This is the power of technology. That isn’t to say that you should aim to rely on technology and never leave home, but when there is no other option (due to safety and accessibility issues), technology plays a key role in empowering people to make a difference. On a lighter note, boredom, suppressed ambitions, and depression can be resolved with virtual gaming experiences, or furthermore, other extended reality tools can aid youth to vividly live their dream lives and make income by gaming professionally. A means of pulling us out of our boredom and suppressed ambitions into a world of possibilities: Although one of the smallest countries in Africa, The Gambia has the potential to be a pioneering hub of digital innovation. Like Cuba is known globally for its expert doctors, Gambia can champion its skills in technology and enterprise. The country is 65% under 25, many of whom are self-starters from a young age. The economy is, in bulk, self-employed rather than in jobs, with a large percentage of the population working in agriculture. This is a fertile breeding ground for the next generation of technology innovators solving some of the most pressing global problems in agriculture, urbanization, and youth unemployment. Putting the Gambia on the global map: HOW CAN WE MAKE THESE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES HAPPEN IN THE GAMBIA? HOW SOON CAN IT HAPPEN? An open-source approach to skills development is perfect for developing the technology ecosystem in a place like The Gambia. There is a sincere desire to grow and learn within the country, and a willingness to share and support each other is an integral part of the culture. This creates the perfect environment for a robust open-source culture to flourish - where skills and opportunities are resources that can be exchanged and traded between people and organizations for economic growth. In recent years, young Gambians have been able to access information, resources, and support from around the globe - courses in technical skills, online mentoring from professionals in other countries, and countless examples to inspire innovation. Creating an open-source network, sharing skills, resources, and opportunities: There are a plethora of courses now available to Gambians through which they can acquire the relevant technical skills to create extraordinary innovations. The University of Applied Science Engineering and Technology features an innovation lab, one of the many great institutions in the Gambia, granting young minds the opportunity to create disruptive solutions and out-of-the-box conceptions. Technical training is a means of creating higher IQs, mental training, and sharper attention to detail. The bridge between potential and performance is training, and although there is a lot already available, there are significant gaps that need to be filled. Changing what is possible, what opportunities are available to young Gambians: The Gambia needs more research labs that delve into cutting-edge technology like robotics, AI, and other advanced technology areas if we are to majorly contribute to the rapid technological advancement happening all over the world, and expose Gambians to the possibilities of technology for the country. We can start imagining smart cities and artificially intelligent traffic systems that are integrated with self-driving cars through IoT, holographic technology, and customized learning through AI. Creating spaces and places for young, innovative minds to thrive and imagine: New realities emerge on the technological horizon at a rate that sometimes seems too fast-paced for developing nations like The Gambia to keep up with. Nonetheless, history has proven and continues to prove that this is not the case. Africans continue to amaze more developed nations with the novel ideas they invent. From the biological AI revolution by Nana Kofi Quaky in Ghana to the IoT waste management systems in Kenya, it is clear that Africa has a lot in store for the global technological community. This future, although sophisticated,  is one that preserves rather than harms or destroys the planet. The introduction of electric vehicle (EV) technology is ironclad proof that there is a big appetite for more green alternatives to technology. With EV, Fairphones, and other green technology our future is looking both safe and nourishing, so we can preserve the beauty of the Smiling Coast and help it to thrive for generations. Recognizing the potential and power that already exists for us to make these realities now: What does Gambia want their future to look like? How can technology aid the creation of that future? What new realities can we imagine for our planet? What part do Gambians have to play in that? Tell us your thoughts on these questions in the comments below. Authors Zaira Rasool is the Founder of Coderoots, on a mission to provide digital access and technology education to those who need it most. The majority of Coderoots’ work is focused on providing access to resources that will allow people to create their own pathways within technology and succeed in their careers, as well as provide opportunities for their country. She is a Software Engineer with a decade’s experience in community development. Find out more on and via . Instagram this video Alex David Pratt is the author of AI Demystified and the pioneer of Fortizo Technologies, a consumer electronics creator and managed IT services company on a mission to reinvent how Gambians consume technology through the invention of technology solutions geared towards the local market. He is a self-taught technologist, delving into software engineering, ethical hacking, deep tech, and AI. He describes himself as a tech futurist on a mission to catapult mankind to technological advancement through research, development, and innovation. You can learn more about his work on the and his personal . Fortizo Technologies blog LinkedIn

Futurism in Africa: Creating New Realities With The Power of Technology

Scientific American, Volume XLIII., No. 25, December 18, 1880, by Various, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book . Ericsson's New Submarine Gun. here Ericsson's New Submarine Gun. The protracted trials conducted on board the Destroyer to test its submarine gun terminated last week. Having, says the , in a previous issue described this novel type of naval artillery, it will suffice to remind our readers that its caliber is 16 inches, length of bore 30 feet, and that it is placed at the bottom of the vessel, the muzzle passing through an opening formed in the wrought iron stem. Army and Navy Journal We have hitherto, in discussing the properties of the Destroyer, referred to its offensive weapon as a "torpedo," a term not altogether inappropriate while it was actuated by compressed air. But Capt. Ericsson having in the meantime wholly abolished compressed air in his new system of naval attack, substituting guns and gunpowder as the means of producing motive energy, it will be proper to adopt the constructor's term, . It will not surprise those who are acquainted with the laws of hydrostatics and the enormous resistance offered to bodies moving swiftly through water, that the determination of the proper form of projectile for the submarine gun has demanded protracted experiments, commencing at the beginning of June and continued up to last week, as before stated. The greater portion of these experiments, it should be observed, has been carried out with a gun 30 feet long, 15 inches caliber—not a breech-loader, however, as in the Destroyer, but a muzzle-loader, suspended under the bottom of two wrecking scows, the gun being lifted above the water, after each shot, by shears and suitable tackle. The present projectile of the Destroyer is the result of the extended trials referred to; its length is 25 feet 6 inches, diameter 16 inches, and its weight 1,500 pounds, including 250 pounds of explosive materials. We are not at liberty at present to describe its form, but we may mention that the great length of the body and the absence of all internal machinery enable the constructor to carry the stated enormous quantity of explosive matter. With minimum charge of powder in the chamber of the gun, the speed attained by the projectile reaches 310 feet in the first three seconds. projectile The question may be asked, in view of these facts, whether the boasted costly steam ram is not superseded by the cheap aggressive system represented by the Destroyer. Evidently the most powerful of the English steam rams could not destroy an armored ship as effectually as the projectile from the submarine gun, the explosion of which is capable of shattering any naval structure. It should be borne in mind, also, that being protected by heavy inclined transverse armor, the Destroyer, attacking bows on, can defy ordnance of all calibers. Again, the carrier of the submarine gun, in addition to the swiftness of its projectile, can outrun ironclad ships. About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Various (2007). Scientific American, Volume XLIII., No. 25, December 18, 1880. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/21081/pg21081-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at , located at . www.gutenberg.org https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html

Ericsson's New Submarine Gun

Amazon, the e-commerce giant that has become an inseparable part of our lives, has once again managed to disappoint us. You know, the company that boasts about the efficiency of its Prime service and the magical two-day shipping? Well, turns out, it's not as magical as they want us to believe. Let's start with the tale of the ill-fated Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP) program. Introduced in 2015 with promises to bring new Prime-eligible inventory to our doorstep, it sounded like a dream. But alas, like all good things, it had to come to an end. Four years later, Amazon decided to pull the plug on it, claiming it was no longer necessary. However, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) thinks otherwise. According to the FTC, executives didn't discontinue SFP because it was obsolete; they killed it because it was fostering healthy competition. Well, isn't that just the corporate equivalent of taking your ball and going home when the game isn't going your way? Amazon But wait, it gets better. Amazon, in its oh-so-transparent manner, declared that less than 16 percent of SFP's U.S. orders managed to meet the holy grail of e-commerce – the two-day shipping guarantee. They blamed it on the limited operational hours of some sellers, especially on weekends. Oh, the audacity! The nerve to blame it on the little guys who were trying to keep up with the Amazon behemoth. The FTC, however, wasn't buying it. In a plot twist that should surprise precisely no one, they uncovered a different story. An updated complaint unveiled last Thursday, that sellers enrolled in SFP consistently met their promised delivery estimates set by Amazon. In fact, they claim that these sellers exceeded a whopping 95 percent in 2018. the FTC asserts Hold on to your outrage because there's more. The FTC alleges that these SFP sellers, on occasion, outperformed the golden children of Amazon – the Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) orders. Yes, you read that right. The very orders that Amazon itself handles, supposedly with the utmost efficiency, were sometimes outdone by these sellers who were supposedly struggling with their limited operational hours. So, what does this all mean? It means that Amazon, the same company that prides itself on customer satisfaction and Prime's lightning-fast delivery, might have been pulling the wool over our eyes. The SFP program, which could have been a haven for competition and diversity in the marketplace, was allegedly crushed because it was a little too successful for Amazon's liking. In the grand scheme of things, this might just be another chapter in the book of Amazon controversies. But it's a reminder that behind the smiling boxes and convenient delivery, there's a corporate giant making decisions that might not always be in the best interest of the consumers or the smaller players in the market. Oh, but the plot thickens! In the labyrinth of Amazon's internal communications, we stumble upon an email gem from none other than Jeff Wilke, the then-CEO of worldwide operations. In this electronic missive, a frustrated Wilke admits to "losing [his] mind" upon discovering that UPS dared to advertise its online retail fulfillment service for Prime-eligible orders. Well, well, isn't that a delightful revelation? Not content with Wilke's exasperation, two other high-ranking Amazon executives, dancing in harmony with the anti-competition tune, chimed in on the same email thread. Their collective brilliance led them to a unanimous conclusion – shutting down Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP) in the U.S. should be seriously considered. Because, of course, how dare other players in the market try to offer services that might rival Amazon's own? But the drama doesn't stop there. Despite Amazon halting new enrollments in SFP later that year, the waitlist for the program turned into a monster, growing to include over 8,000 sellers within a mere six weeks. It's almost as if sellers were desperately trying to find an alternative to the Amazon-controlled marketplace. The , with the precision of a well-executed thriller, drops the bombshell that "Amazon caught a glimpse of this alternative universe when it temporarily relaxed its coercive conduct." lawsuit Oh, the sweet taste of a brief respite from Amazon's monopolistic grasp. During this momentary lapse in dominance, the company recognized something alarming – the decision to ease up on the coercion was immensely popular with both shoppers and sellers. Hold on to your hats because the labyrinthine web of Amazon's questionable practices continues to unravel! According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lawsuit, an Amazon executive, in a rare moment of transparency, expressed concern that the Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP) program was chipping away at Amazon's competitive edge in the U.S. Oh, the horror of competition! The executive went on to highlight a startling revelation – sellers in the SFP program were now motivated to manage their own warehouses, making inventory accessible to other marketplaces. This newfound capability, previously exclusive to Amazon's Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) customers, was apparently causing ripples in the carefully orchestrated pond of Amazon's dominance. The complaint spills the beans on discussions with sellers, where additional Amazon executives admitted that if FBA were not mandatory for Prime eligibility, many sellers would happily opt for independent fulfillment providers based on the platform with the incoming order. Well, well, well, it seems like Amazon's stranglehold on sellers might be loosening. In response to this revelation, Amazon's former head of global fulfillment services couldn't hide his discomfort at the potential rise in competition from independent fulfillment providers. It's almost as if Amazon prefers a playing field where it's the only big player. The lawsuit contends that while the operations of independent fulfillment providers are currently significantly smaller than FBA, handling orders for only a few hundred to a few thousand sellers, they could potentially secure substantial business from third-party sellers on Amazon if given the opportunity to compete for Amazon's order volumes. The monopoly might not be as iron-clad as Amazon would like us to believe. Now, enter the reintroduction of SFP, which appears to be Amazon's olive branch to the FTC following the notable antitrust lawsuit. In a twist of fate, Amazon, just before the commission filed the groundbreaking case, reversed its decision to impose a 2 percent fee on third-party sellers utilizing SFP. Learning their lesson, or simply saving face? You decide. An Amazon spokesperson, with a tone of self-righteousness, claimed, "We have learned a lot, and over the last several years, we updated the program requirements." Conveniently forgetting the past, they declared, "We’ve now reopened enrollment to an improved Seller Fulfilled Prime program that can meet our customers’ expectations." However, the stringent criteria for participation in the SFP trial program, demanding sellers fulfill 100 packages within the 90 days preceding their application, maintain a valid tracking rate exceeding 95 percent, a cancellation rate below 2.5 percent, and a late shipment rate under 4 percent, raise eyebrows. Are these criteria genuinely about meeting customer expectations, or are they another tactic in Amazon's arsenal to shape sellers' choices within its ecosystem? In the ongoing saga of concerns, it seems the company's efforts to maintain its dominance are not going unnoticed. Amazon's dance with antitrust As the battle between the e-commerce giant and regulators unfolds, it leaves us questioning the true nature of competition and choice within the ever-expanding Amazonian landscape. So the next time you're eagerly awaiting that two-day delivery, remember that the reality behind the scenes might not be as picture-perfect as the Amazon logo suggests.

Amazon Says Less Than 16 percent of SFP’s U.S. Orders Met The Two-Day Shipping Guarantee

102 Stories To Learn About Encryption

THE PEDRAIL: A WALKING STEAM-ENGINE

153 Stories To Learn About Cryptography

The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories by Mark Twain, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book . A HUMANE WORD FROM SATAN here A HUMANE WORD FROM SATAN (The following letter, signed by Satan and purporting to come from him, we have reason to believe was not written by him, but by Mark Twain.—Editor.) TO THE EDITOR OF HARPER'S WEEKLY: Dear Sir and Kinsman,—Let us have done with this frivolous talk. The American Board accepts contributions from me every year: then why shouldn't it from Mr. Rockefeller? In all the ages, three-fourths of the support of the great charities has been conscience-money, as my books will show: then what becomes of the sting when that term is applied to Mr. Rockefeller's gift? The American Board's trade is financed mainly from the graveyards. Bequests, you understand. Conscience-money. Confession of an old crime and deliberate perpetration of a new one; for deceased's contribution is a robbery of his heirs. Shall the Board decline bequests because they stand for one of these offenses every time and generally for both? Allow me to continue. The charge most persistently and resentfully and remorselessly dwelt upon is that Mr. Rockefeller's contribution is incurably tainted by perjury—perjury proved against him in the courts. —down in my place! Because there isn't a rich man in your vast city who doesn't perjure himself every year before the tax board. They are all caked with perjury, many layers thick. Iron-clad, so to speak. If there is one that isn't, I desire to acquire him for my museum, and will pay Dinosaur rates. Will you say it isn't infraction of the law, but only annual evasion of it? Comfort yourselves with that nice distinction if you like— . But by and by, when you arrive, I will show you something interesting: a whole hell-full of evaders! Sometimes a frank law-breaker turns up elsewhere, but I get those others every time. It makes us smile for the present To return to my muttons. I wish you to remember that my rich perjurers are contributing to the American Board with frequency: it is money filched from the sworn-off personal tax; therefore it is the wages of sin; therefore it is my money; therefore it is that contribute it; and, finally, it is therefore as I have said: since the Board daily accepts contributions from me, why should it decline them from Mr. Rockefeller, who is as good as I am, let the courts say what they may? I SATAN. About HackerNoon Book Series: We bring you the most important technical, scientific, and insightful public domain books. This book is part of the public domain. Mark Twain (2004). The $30,000 Bequest, and Other Stories. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved October 2022 https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/142/pg142-images.html This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at , located at . www.gutenberg.org https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html

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