Archive for the 'Math' Category

Random Access to the Stars

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007

I have read about using lava lamps and the stray firings of CCDs, but this is a new twist to generating true random information:

Yuzoz draws upon computerized data sets from a variety of space probes that have been observing terrestrial weather, auroral displays, solar flares, the solar wind and even Venusian cloud movements. Manber is hoping that the outer-space angle will add a coolness factor to Yuzoz’s random number generator - which, for what it’s worth, has been certified by Technical Systems Testing.

“We’re the first people to brand a random number generator,” Manber said. “And the value that comes from that has to do with trust, transparency, honesty.”

Source: Random Access to the Stars via webjones