[gaijin]

Let’s say I might get killed:

I write down a long story for you and I put it into a lock box that has 20 tumblers on the front. I lock the box I give it to you.

if I am abducted and fail to check in every twelve hours to a friend or a computer then the 20 unlock numbers are released and with those you are able to unlock lock the box and read my final message to you.

I don’t have to write down my whole story all over.

[antidisestablishment]

Not quite.

1. I write a long story and assign random numbers to each symbol.

2. I give you the sum of the numbers.

3. When I send you a file, an equivalent sum guarantees it is original.

It is a verification method to ensure file integrity when it’s released. Anyone can compare the hash to ensure their file is not corrupt.

[GOPJ]

Thanks for the help gaijin..