RE: Want a random entropy source?

[Folkert van Heusden]

> Well, the 50hz from the mains isn't a perfect 50hz; it has random (yes)
> fluctuations.
JB> Yes, that's true.
JB> More generally, though, is there any point in this going in to the
JB> mainline kernel, if:
JB> * Most users don't need faster entropy generation than we've got
JB> and
JB> * The entropy gathered from the soundcard is statistically inferior to
JB> that gathered from the current sources of entropy.

Well, there isn't any :o) That's why there's a user-level implementation
for such a beast for those who do need it.
( http://www.vanheusden.com/mirrors/audio-entropyd-0.0.5.tgz )

JB> I don't see how it's possible to guarantee that the data below a
JB> certain dB level from the soundcard is noise.

Some guy contacted me about audio-entropyd and told me he'd done a lot
of analysis on all how this and gave me a few hints how to improve the
quality of what is produced with this tool. A quick fourier-
transformation doesn't really show any peaks.