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by GekkePrutser 1515 days ago
Bruce Schneier always used the term 'snake oil' for such unfounded buzzwords and frequently did naming and shaming on his blog.

But military-grade is just a buzzword. Unlike something like MIL-SPEC there is no body that determines what is military grade. And even MIL-SPEC is not very specific, most of its standards have many components that don't apply unless the vendor specifically certifies for it.

But yeah most vendors that use such terminology demonstrate a very poor understanding of the technical principles and use their marketing buzzwords to make up for it.

1 comments

Off topic, but please consider using the correct tense when talking about people. E.g ”Uses” instead of ”used”, otherwise you are implying that the person in question is dead…

(After reading your comment I went to wikipedia to check that Bruce Schneier hadn’t unexpectedly passed away.)

That is not what the past tense means, and you should maybe take some responsibility for this. OC doesnt know what Bruce schneier currently does or endorses.
I agree with you, even if I wouldn't have made the comment.

"has historically used" or "has used in the past" or "tends to use" or "uses".

The term "always used" does sound like the subject is departed.

I used past tense because he stopped his blog/mailing list ;) At least in the form I used to read it.

But I agree that 'used to use' would be a better form without this connotation. I will strive to use this in the future in such cases.

He used to have a monthly mailing list, and I wasn't sure whether he still had a blog or something.

One problem with 'used to use' is many might take it as implying that he now uses something different. Perhaps 'has used' would be better?