Cryptographic learning system in VB

Hi VB peeps,

I'm currently starting my final year for Uni and for my thesis I am going to produce a Computer Aided Learning system that will help students to learn the basics of cryptography and cryptoanalysis (Like Xor and Ceaser shift etc).

Part of the project is to research any previous knowledge on the subject area, so if any of you have heard about a system that helps peeps to learn cryptographic algorithms and approaches I would appreciate it if you repied here or even sent a mail to Here ...

Also I've been searching around for academic resources, I've found the 'Applied Cryptography' bible and I need to find a 'cryptography' forum or webring, again can anyone help me out here?

many thanks for your time, I look forwards to any replies.

Hi Nit,

I'm not sure what level you are looking at but Simon Singh's 'The Code Book' makes a good read and gives an historical account of the development and use of codes and cracking, including Caesar shift, a polyalphabetic caesar(the name of which I can't remember), Playfair, ADVGFX (or other letters - I've forgotten), Enigma, and a brief introduction to RSA.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CipherChallenge

is a forum that has been running for quite a while to solve the £10,000 challenge at the back of the book - sadly this was won last year so the incitement to solve the puzzles has somewhat diminished, but there is a wealth of information there. The forum is very much related to the book although since the challenge was completed other subjects have crept in.
I think you have to register and then join the group- just a few clicks and a made-up name :7)

try the sci.crypt newsgroup and
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/cryptography-faq/part01/

...oh, and when you publish you thesis, i think alot of people here would be interested in seeing it. i know i would. if you do show it to us later, please send me an email at [email protected]

Thank you I shall endeavour to notify peeps about my humble enterprise... it won't be mush.. its a program thesis rather than a research one...

although freeware copies maay be made available...
well see


:)
Nit