4 ms·
Many computers have physical entropy sources, so they can create truly random numbers. http://www.cryptography.com/public/pdf/IntelRNG.pdf http://www.cryptograp
by SpikeGronim 15y ago
Many computers have physical entropy sources, so they can create truly random numbers. http://www.cryptography.com/public/pdf/IntelRNG.pdf http://www.cryptography.com/public/pdf/IntelRNG.pdf
- hugh3 15y agoI don't think it's really necessary to use true quantum randomness. A good-enough-for-government-work definition of a random drawing is that every applicant has an equal chance (to N decimal places) of being chosen at the time they submit their application. For this, pseudorandom is good enough. Sure, it's completely deterministic which applications will get chosen once you've chosen your algorithm and seed. But how do you choose your seed? Probably from the clock at the time you run the program. And what determines the precise time you run the program? Why, a bunch of neural signals going around in the head of the dude whose job it is to press "enter" on the greencard lottery program. There are some purposes for which random is better than pseudorandom, this ain't one of 'em.