Has anyone noticed, as have I, that other than Casino machines, the results from all "luck of the draw" electronic games--it could be hand helds or software driven games on one's computer--are not very credible? In fact, not even close to analogous outcomes from actual cards, dice, etc. I had always believed that this was intentional, in order to promote "user friendliness" and product sales appeal--people would rather buy a game that allows them to win frequently, and true randomness would defeat such a purpose.
It was not until I began searching for random number generator (RNG) software, that I began to see that the issue is more complicated. I had wanted to be able to select calendar dates and times of day, in random distribution, in order to set a schedule/timetable for administering recurrent medical diagnostic tests to a patient.
My search revealed some very interesting points about which I would appreciate any informed input. For one, many of the software products (firmware, too, I would assume), especially those available as freeware, are not true RNGs--in that, they use various, formulae & algorithms in order to derive a random outcome. However--I am given to understand--it is impossible to generate randomness by the use of mathematical constructs alone: it is necessary to utilize some physical phenomenon--some measure of entropy--in order to generate true random numbers. A lottery drawing devise would be one such example, although, even there, the degree of true randomness is arguable. The so-called, true RNG programs available for computers seem mostly to be based on the ability to measure physical processes that occur with the computer hardware, for example the sound card, or the power supply, and such. Since I am not a physicist, I would very much appreciate any information that would clarify, and simplify, my search for reliable, affordable RNG software--preferably of the freeware or shareware variety. Has anyone had experience with any of these products? How well did they perform for you?
Random Number generators
