Re: [Bug-gnubg] random dice generator? hahahaaa

[Viktor Frank]

I don't see why we'd want digits of pi or any other specific source of "random" numbers. Skeptics can always state that gnubg somehow knows the subsequent rolls. It's theoretically possible if the numbers originate from the same computer, especially if they are stored in a text file that can be read in advance.

So a completely unrelated source of numbers is needed. Like manual rolls, but even that can be tricky. For example do we have predetermined rules for what happens if a die rolls off the table, ends up on its edge, etc. Do we always reroll, or is it possible that the results we see influence us? Are there other subtle, unconscious ways to manipulate the rolls? Just a thought: how about printing a page of random rolls from random.org and from a different computer, covering it, and revealing numbers as they are needed during the game?

Even then there is psychological factor: some may feel rolls they know can't be manipulated fairer than ones that could be. Short term observations can also lead to wrong conclusion.

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Feladó: Chris Wilson <address@hidden>
Címzett: Philippe Michel <address@hidden>
Másolatot kap: address@hidden
Elküldve: 2017. augusztus 22., Kedd 9.34
Tárgy: Re: [Bug-gnubg] random dice generator? hahahaaa

I think there's an easier solution to this well-worn topic and it should be easy to implement.

I have a Windows program called Super_PI that was written in 1995. I've kept it around this long because I use it as an objective means of rating computer builds and overclocking tweaks. The program generates 33,554,432 digits of PI. It currently takes 8 minutes and 15 seconds on my system and it dumps the output to a text file. Now, strip the digits 0, 7, 8, 9 and you have a perfect file of truly random numbers. Any number of methods can be used to retrieve a valid roll from the file. Offer the numbers in suitable text blocks available as an additional download from the website and trigger a program option to use those numbers and it should end the argument.

Here are some comments that come with the ZIP file.

"In August 1995, the calculation of pi up to 4,294,960,000 decimal digits was succeeded by using a supercomputer at the University of Tokyo. The program was written by D.Takahashi and he collaborated with Dr. Y.Kanada at the computer center, the University of Tokyo. This record should be the current world record. ( Details is shown in the windows help. ) This record-breaking program was ported to personal computer environment such as Windows NT and Windows 95. In order to calculate 33.55 million digits, it takes within 3 days with Pentium 90MHz, 40MB main memory and 340MB available storage. The software is free and the circulation of program is also free!"

To think it used to take 3 DAYS to generate that many digits! :-)

The archive also includes some C++ code. Contact me if you wish a copy of the program.

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