[Phys-L] rot13 cipher

[John Denker <jsd@av8n.com>]

I quote from
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROT13

> The algorithm provides virtually no cryptographic security, and is
> often cited as a canonical example of weak encryption.
>
> ROT13 is used in online forums as a means of hiding spoilers,
> punchlines, puzzle solutions, and offensive materials from the casual
> glance. ROT13 has been described as the "Usenet equivalent of a
> magazine printing the answer to a quiz upside down".

Some people found this obvious ... but others complained 
off-list that it wasn't obvious.

As previously discussed in this forum, decoders are 
readily available, e.g.
  http://www.rot13.com/

=============

In analogy to triple-DES, which is widely used because 
it is more secure than the basic DES (digital encryption 
standard), some people use triple-rot13.