Garth,

As near as I can tell, almost all your questions are answered in the GnuPG 
FAQ.  Check out http://www.gnupg.org/(en)/documentation/faqs.html

Here are some specific sections you should look at:

> So, during the process, I noticed that "Using Insecure Memory" came up many
> times because I didn't generate the keys as root.  I think that's why
> anyway, maybe that's not what it meant.
>
Section 6.1 - It's not that you should run the program interactively as root, 
you just need to set it setuid(root).

> So, now I need to make new keys and I"m going to make certains keys for
> certain lists of people like CLUG and family etc.  Should I generate these
> keys as ROOT or does it really matter.  I mean it's not like anybody is
> into my systems anyway so does it really matter?  Or not?
>
This goes back to the same as above, about root vs. non-root.  I would suggest 
you not do this as root, because a) you don't need to - the solution is to 
setuid the gpg program, and b) you should never really do anything other than 
system maintenance as root.  :-)

> I'd like to get it right this time because this is not so easy the first
> time round.  I'm a little more comfortable with it, and hopefully I don't
> forget what I've learned tonight.  And should keys have secret subkeys and
> subkeys for subkeys etc.
>
Ok, don't have an answer for that one, but I haven't read the whole FAQ - it 
might be in there.  Are you talking about ADKs and such?  I would also 
suggested the GnuPG Handbook, found at 
http://www.gnupg.org/gph/en/manual.html.  

On the general subject of multiple keypairs, personally, I just have a single 
keypair that I use for all communications, which contains all my email 
addresses.  But this is a matter of choice.  Other people have one keypair 
for each email address.  Some people make one keypair for signing software 
and a different one for communication.  It's up to you to choose what works 
best for you.

> Also, is it better to make 8 bit over 7 bit or does that matter either way
> too?  I know how to make keys now, a few different ways, so I guess my
> question is "Which is the best or most secure key to make?"  Obviously 64
> over 32 and 128 over 64 bit etc, but I'm not sure about the 7 or 8 bit
> signatures and there's another thing.  Signatures.  Hmmm.  Any help at all
> will help me think a little more too.  Thanks.

Section 4.11

Ian

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