News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:USB True Random Number Generator by stcredzero on Tuesday June 22, 2010 @11:31PM (#1454034)
What about collecting microphone input and running it through a hash?
Re:USB True Random Number Generator by dazzawazza on Wednesday June 23, 2010 @04:37AM (#1454437)
That is a recognised method but it does have it's own failings. Certainly in server rooms although it seems noisy to us there are patterns that can still be generated.

Another similar method is to take static from radio waves. While random it's unfortunately hackable by someone who has a radio transmitter and can get close enough to your antenna (the same can be done with the microphone).

I worked at a poker startup and sourcing random numbers is both a political and mathematical nightmare.

Re:USB True Random Number Generator by stcredzero on Wednesday June 23, 2010 @07:32AM (#1454636)
Add another noisemaker with a chaotic component, like a Pacinko ball game with an automatic ball feed. Hashing the output will obliterate the patterns.
Re:USB True Random Number Generator by lutorm on Wednesday June 23, 2010 @09:26AM (#1454835)
Why not add a small amount of radioactive material and measure decays?