What's this fuss about true randomness?

[pokerfan]

Any one who considers arithmetical methods of producing random digits is, of course, in a state of sin.
- John von Neumann

Today's User Friendly (webcomic) LOTD (Link of the Day) is one of my favorite sites.

What's this fuss about true randomness?

Perhaps you have wondered how predictable machines like computers can generate randomness. In reality, most random numbers used in computer programs are pseudo-random, which means they are a generated in a predictable fashion using a mathematical formula. This is fine for many purposes, but it may not be random in the way you expect if you're used to dice rolls and lottery drawings.

RANDOM.ORG offers true random numbers to anyone on the Internet. The randomness comes from atmospheric noise, which for many purposes is better than the pseudo-random number algorithms typically used in computer programs. People use RANDOM.ORG for holding drawings, lotteries and sweepstakes, to drive games and gambling sites, for scientific applications and for art and music. The service has existed since 1998 and was built and is being operated by Mads Haahr of the School of Computer Science and Statistics at Trinity College, Dublin in Ireland.

http://www.random.org

[jody]

1. Simulation models etc that use generated random numbers to duplicate stochastic and other processes

according to specified probability distributions are valid only if the numbers are actually random, i.e. a sequence of numbers not related to each other by such things as auto correlation etc.

[Jim__]

2. Interesting site. Thanks for posting. - n/t