getting keys from keyserver whithout knowing the ID

[Anthony E . Greene]

On Mon, 07 May 2001 17:12:19 Marco Herrn wrote:
[snip]
>So how can I get a key without knowing the ID? Or how can I find out the ID
>using GnuPG? I'd think that this is a problem many new users have, isn't
>it?

If you attempt to verify a signed message from the person, GnuPG will try to
download the correct key using the keyid.

Otherwise you will probably need to use PGP:

  pgpk -a email_address
          or
  pgpk -a 'Firstname%20Lastname'

or a Web browser:

  <URL:http://www.keyserver.net/>
           or
  <URL:http://wwwkeys.pgp.net/>

The email interface to the keyservers also works if you are willing to wait:

  <URL:mailto:pgp-public-keys@keys.pgp.net?subject=get%20KeyId>


One thing that would make this a little easier is if PGP users consistently
included their KeyId in their email signature.

Tony
-- 
Anthony E. Greene <agreene@pobox.com> <http://www.pobox.com/~agreene/>
PGP Key: 0x6C94239D/7B3D BD7D 7D91 1B44 BA26  C484 A42A 60DD 6C94 239D
Chat:  AOL/Yahoo: TonyG05    ICQ: 91183266
Linux. The choice of a GNU Generation. <http://www.linux.org/>