------
 eParapher project
 ------
 eParapher team
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 15 January 2009
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 ~~ Licensed to the eParapher Software Foundation (ASF) under one
 ~~ or more contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file
 ~~ distributed with this work for additional information
 ~~ regarding copyright ownership.  The ASF licenses this file
 ~~ to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
 ~~ "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
 ~~ with the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at
 ~~
 ~~   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
 ~~
 ~~ Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
 ~~ software distributed under the License is distributed on an
 ~~ "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
 ~~ KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
 ~~ specific language governing permissions and limitations
 ~~ under the License.

 ~~ NOTE: For help with the syntax of this file, see:
 ~~ http://maven.apache.org/guides/mini/guide-apt-format.html
 ~~ http://maven.apache.org/doxia/references/apt-format.html

Introduction

* What is eParapher?

 eParapher is a end user security software that <<digitally sign files>> and <<manage keystores>> content's.
 
 It supports 3 standards of :

   * {{{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_signature}Digital signature}}: PDF, PDF/A, CMS and XML.

   * {{{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_signature}Operating systems}}: Windows 32bits, MacOSX x86 and Linux x86, x86_64, ppc.

 It aim to be <<simple for the end user>> : secure by default and "one click" oriented.\
 Advanced users can also use wizards for advanced signature settings.

~~ If you are interested and need assistance to deploy an industrial version of eParapher, simply ask TOAD Consulting for consulting and support on the software.

~~ Why a <<heavy client>> for eParapher ?


* Quick links

 * You may start with the {{{./quick_start.html}quick start}} guide, that explain how to use eParapher in a few minutes;

 * The {{{http://trac.eparapher.com/} Trac}} website will give you more details on the project.\
   The {{{http://trac.eparapher.com/cgi-bin/trac.cgi/roadmap}Roadmap}} is open.

 * Find a bug? Submit an evolution request?\
   Please {{{http://trac.eparapher.com/cgi-bin/trac.cgi/newticket} report it}} quickly to improve eParapher quality!

 * Got motivation and time? you are welcome to {{{http://trac.eparapher.com/cgi-bin/trac.cgi/wiki/Contributing}contribute}} in many ways.

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* Why shall i use eParapher ?

  With digital signature, you have a warranty that your important files (contracts, reports, plans, ...) comes from the right person, and that it hasn't been modified.
  
~~  * You can simply convert to PDF and sign your business files (contract, report, ...) in one click
  
~~ {{{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-repudiation}Non repudiation}} service can also be set.
 
  As a PKI Administrator or PKI end user, you can quickly and easily modify your <<keystores>> : import/export a keypair/certificate, change the format, ...
  
  Finally, eParapher supports the latests open standards : PDF/A, Elliptic curve cryptography with ECDSA , ...

* Product Overview
 
 eParapher supports :

   * pdf convertion and signature on the fly of your text and image files with iText API, and your office files with OpenOffice runtime (v2.4 and later);

   * mass signing (2 files and more in one shot), asking once your secret.

   * Manage your keystores and/or cryptographic tokens content :

       * create, delete, import and export your certificates and private keys ;

       * use keystore files, such as PKCS#12, JKS, JCEKS or BKS;

       * use your Windows certificate store;

       * use your PKCS#11 Tokens, such as SmartCards for example.

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  Future versions will add new features such as timestamping, signature verification, command line interface, encryption, advanced certificate managment (automatic certificate renewal, act as a small CA, Open source CA connectivity, ...).

  Other technical informations can be found on the {{{http://trac.eparapher.com/}Trac Wiki}}.

* Special Thanks

   eParapher is based on open source APIs and products.
   
   So I want to thanks :
   
   * The {{{http://www.bouncycastle.org/}Bouncy castle}} team for their robust cryptographic APIs ;

   * The Eclipse Team and their excellent platform ;

   * {{{http://www.everaldo.com/}Everaldo}} for his fabulous & famous icons ;

   * The Sun's R&D Team for their great works on Java and OpenOffice ;

   * The {{{http://www.artofsolving.com/opensource/jodconverter/guide}JODConverter}} Team for their OpenOffice APIs.

   * The {{{http://www.artofsolving.com/opensource/jodconverter/guide}Apache directory studio}} team for their great work on eclipse RCP 'mavenization'.

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