Re: Random Number Question

[pausch@saaf.se (Paul Schlyter)]

In article <Xns9A967FB84441Fnem@216.196.97.142>, nem  <nem@nospam> wrote:
>Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> wrote in news:
>
>> But since a white noise source isn't something you normally have on
>> hand
>
>I know on the C64 you could use the SID chip to get true random numbers, 
>however Commodore BASIC generates pseudo-random numbers exactly like 
>Applesoft BASIC.

The Apple II monitor though has a source for true random numbers, although
with only 16 bits of entropy.  The source is a 16-bit counter which is
incremented each time the monitor input routine polls the keyboard for
a keypress.  So you just let your program ask the monitor for a keypress
and then read these 16 bits whenever there is a keypress - it's next to
impossible for the operator to control the value of this 16-bit counter.


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