add README.md

README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+# EncFS - an Encrypted Filesystem
+
+## About
+
+EncFS provides an encrypted filesystem in user-space. It runs in userspace, 
+using the FUSE library for the filesystem interface. EncFS is open source
+software, licensed under the LGPL.
+
+EncFS is now over 10 years old (first release in 2003).  It was written because
+older NFS-based encrypted filesystems such as CFS had not kept pace with Linux
+development.  When FUSE became available, I wrote a CFS replacement for my own
+use and released the first version to Open Source in 2003.
+
+EncFS encrypts individual files, by translating all requests for the virtual
+EncFS filesystem into the equivalent encrypted operations on the raw
+filesystem. 
+
+## Status
+
+Over the last 10 years, a number of good alternatives have grown up.  Computing
+power has increased to the point where it is reasonable to encrypt the entire
+filesystem of personal computers (and even mobile phones!).  On Linux, ecryptfs
+provides a nice dynamically mountable encrypted home directory, and is well
+integrated in distributions I use, such as Ubuntu.
+
+EncFS has been dormant for a while.  I've started cleaning up in order to try
+and provide a better base for a version 2, but whether EncFS flowers again
+depends upon community interest.  In order to make it easier for anyone to
+contribute, it is moving a new home on Github.  So if you're interested in
+EncFS, please dive in!
+
+## GitHub Transition
+
+GitHub hosting for EncFS is a work in progress.  See also the original, and
+more complete, introduction page at http://www.arg0.net/encfs
+
+## Development
+
+Development is ongoing in the [dev](https://github.com/vgough/encfs/tree/dev)
+branch.  The code there is not guaranteed to be stable, and there is no
+guarantee of backward compatibility.
+
+