Random.org - True Random Number Service
You probably know that computer generated numbers are not truely random, not even those generated by R. The random numbers generated by R are usualy very useful for all kinds of statistical purposes. However, they are not suitable in certain cases. For example for .... eh... Well, for example for conducting 'Psi' experiment (e.g., testing someones clairvoyance abilities). Another use is strong cryptography. If you wish to have true random numbers, you have to resort to other devices than computers. Or you can get some numbers from random.org, which are generated by constantly sampling the atmosphere. Other online random number generators are LavaRnd and
As an example, if you are using MSIE click here for 100 recent random integers ranging from 1 to 100, otherwise click here.
posted by Raoul at 9/19/2005 09:28:00 pm
1 Comments:
The sources that you mention generate random bits by using chaotic sources of entropy. Chaotic systems, while almost certainly "good enough" for even the most demanding cryptography, are stochastic. This means that you can't predict results from previous data (without infinitely precise measurements and calculations), and if you (using imprecise instruments) sat around and sampled for an infinitely long time, you would notice patterns. To have truly random data, you need to use something like Hotbits which is maintained by the founder of Autocad. These crazy Swiss use radioactive decay, which is inherently random (by the laws of quantum mechanics).
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