how slow are 4Kbit RSA keys? [was: Re: multiple keys vs multiple identities]

[David Smith]

Jameson Rollins wrote:
> We should be careful not to overstate the impatience of users too much.
> I've seen plenty of people wait many seconds for google maps to load on
> phones without giving up on the whole process.  I also have an extremely
> slow machine were I routinely have to wait a long time (many seconds)
> for certain operations to complete.  It's certainly not ideal, but I
> don't give up on those operations just because they take a little
> longer.  I get used to it and figure out ways to deal.
> 
> I'm not saying we shouldn't care about operations taking a noticeable
> amount of time, but I wouldn't state out-right that users will revolt
> and refuse to do something just because it takes more than a second.

Whilst it's not something I've had to do, there's also the (potential)
issue of wanting to search a mailbox containing a number of encrypted
mails.  Those seconds can add up... :-)