LavaRnd – Generate random numbers with a lava lamp

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LavaRnd – Generate random numbers with a lava lamp

Can-Detail
Here’s an alternative way to generate random numbers… With a lava lamp! El_wombato writes – “A few years back the lava lamp random number guys (yes, they really did photograph lava lamps with a webcam) came up with a simpler technique. They sample the noise off a CCD chip in a webcam. The process is explained here”Link.

Related:

  • LavaCan HOW-TO – Link.
  • HOW TO – Build your own “True Random Number Generator” – Link.

4 thoughts on “LavaRnd – Generate random numbers with a lava lamp

  1. Windell_Oskay says:

    The version that they refer to from “a few years back” was an SGI project that used six lava lamps with webcams, from 1996. The web pages are still available (somewhat) through the wayback machine.

  2. el_wombato says:

    I probably should have explained that better. The new version is simpler and cheaper, but does not use lava lamps anymore.

    The difference between the old and new versions is explained here.
    Surprisingly, SGI has a patent on the original lava lamp implementation.

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