General Use


General Use
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   By default, Mailcrypt assumes you are using one of the PGP 2.6.x
versions.  This permits backward compatibility for the millions of
satisfied users of Mailcrypt 3.4 worldwide.  If you wish to specify a
different version of PGP, use this function. Its action is the same as
setting the variable `mc-default-scheme'. For a list of supported
versions, press the tab key. "2.6" means 2.6.x, the original (and
default).  "5.0" is pgp 5.0. "gpg" is GnuPG.

   Mailcrypt works by providing two minor modes for interfacing with
cryptographic functions: `mc-read-mode' and `mc-write-mode'.
`mc-read-mode' provides key bindings for processing messages which you
have received; `mc-write-mode' provides key bindings for processing
messages which you are about to send.  These minor modes will indicate
when they are active by placing a characteristic string in the mode
line (see Mode Line.).  They will also add a `Mailcrypt' pull-down
menu to the menu bar.

   The normal installation procedure (see Installation.) will
arrange for the appropriate mode to be active when you read and compose
mail and news.  But you may want to use Mailcrypt's functions at other
times; to do so, you can call `mc-install-read-mode' or
`mc-install-write-mode' directly.  For example, if you were editing a
file in Text mode and wanted to digitally sign it, you would type `M-x
mc-install-write-mode', then `C-c / s' (see Signing.).

   Once one of the Mailcrypt modes is active, you can get a summary of
the available functions by typing `C-h m' or by examining the
`Mailcrypt' pull-down menu.

   The description of each function below includes which of the modes
has a binding for that function.

Encrypting: Encrypting a message to one or more recipients.
Signing: Clearsigning a message.
Inserting Keys: Extracting a key from your public key ring and inserting it.
Decrypting: Decrypting a message to you.
Verifying: Verifying the signature on a clearsigned message.
Snarfing Keys: Finding a key in the current message and adding it to your keyring.

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