Talk:Random event generator (parapsychology)

Justification
Grounds for creating this article separate from Random number generation include: Jacobmfoster (talk) 17:31, 24 September 2009 (UTC)Jacobmfoster
 * Clear dichotomy of applications of REGs/RNGs in parapsychology vs. in other applications, and a distinct history of the development and usage of these devices for parapsychology vs. other applications.
 * Functional differences between REGs/RNGs used in parapsychology vs. in other applications.
 * Explicit mention of "random event generators" in parapsychology in the bestselling The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
 * Creation of Random event generator (disambiguation)
 * Before the creation of this page, readers clicking on links to "random event generator" in Wikipedia articles on parapsychology topics arrived at a the Random number generation page, which does not address their parapsychology application. In order to respect and preserve that article's focus on distinctly non-parapsychological and largely functional and mathematical aspects of random number generation, while providing readers arriving from parapsychology articles with a gateway into understanding random event generator hardware, this separate article was created. I have already updated links throughout Wikipedia to "random event generator" with parapsychology applications to direct to this page.
 * Solicitation of additional contributions on parapsychological application of REGs will be more effective with separate page
 * A Google search for "random event generator" returns several pages of results almost exclusively pertaining to parapsychology, whereas a Google search for "random number generator" returns several pages of results pertaining to other applications. This establishes a dichotomy in usage and meaning of the two terms.rns several pages of results pertaining to other applications.  This establishes a dichotomy in usage and meaning of the two terms.


 * No, sorry, they are just random number generators even if Dan Brown prefers an alternate name. Redirect correct.  Redirecting. Simonm223 (talk) 17:14, 24 September 2009 (UTC)

Inadequate and disrespectful explanation of your justification for restoring redirect. Please elaborate and remain civil. Jacobmfoster (talk) 17:31, 24 September 2009 (UTC)Jacobmfoster
 * I'm pretty sure everybody is being civil, I don't think you have to worry about that. Also, sadly, I have to agree with Simonm.  If you could explain to me how this is any different from random number generator, I'm willing to listen.  In the mean time please stop reverting (reverting over and over info)  ~a (user • talk • contribs) 17:45, 24 September 2009 (UTC)
 * I support the redirect. A small mention in the main article that they are used in parapsychology (well referenced) is more than enough. Most of the arguments above apply to any application of anything (even the Dan Brown one, which is one of the worst arguments I've ever seen). Verbal chat  18:03, 24 September 2009 (UTC)


 * Thank you for entering the conversation, Arichnad and Verbal. I have added additional explanation to the bulleted Justification above.  The difference in meaning between "random number generator" and "random event generator" is largely one of usage (see the bullet point about searching Google for the two terms).  In common usage today, the term "random event generator" most often connotes a device used in parapsychology applications.  But there are also important functional differences between these two classes of devices, not only in their application but also in their construction and operation.  REGs of the class used for parapsychology applications are a distinct type of RNG device with some specific properties not shared by the broader class of RNG devices, including the following:


 * Required to be strictly hardware-based, with limitations on what constitutes acceptable means of seeding and processing
 * Output raw bits (lack on-board operations to sum or perform other operations on raw bits, which is a feature of many RNGs used for cryptography and other applications)
 * Necessary to limit the acceptable sources of physical randomness
 * I think you are correct to say that at the current time, much is common between the focus of this article and the focus of the Hardware random number generator article. But as this article grows from a stub, contributors including myself will substantially differentiate it with parapsychological-application-specific information such as the above, while limiting duplication of the content on the existing Wikipedia articles on RNGs and Hardware RNGs, and linking to those articles where appropriate.Jacobmfoster (talk) 18:27, 24 September 2009 (UTC)Jacobmfoster
 * No, add material with WP:RS to the main page and parapsychology page. If those materials get too large then they can be spun off. This is not a good way of going about it. Verbal chat  18:32, 24 September 2009 (UTC)