random number generator 10-side dice alternative A lot of sites (e.g. Dirk Rijmenants') refer to 10-side dice to generate random number for one-time-pad. I was thinking about new ways to generate random numbers, letters and passwords. here what I got…

To generate random numbers:


Take out keys numbers from 0-9 from old keyboard, calculator or mobile pad and put it in a cup shake it then take one out write it on paper threw it back, shake, and take another... so on till get my numbers.


To generate random letters for OTP:


Take out letters key from an old keyboard put them in a cup shake it and take one out write it on paper then threw it back, shake and take another one... repeat till get my otp letters.


To generate random passwords:


take out letters key from black keyboard (for small letters) and another one white for capital letters, symbols/numbers keys black keys for symbols, white for numbers, then put all keys (72 keys) in a hat, shake it and take one key out write it down throw it back shake, take another one... untill I get my true random password.


Can any one confirm that way as a true random numbers, letters and passwords generator?
One problem is that keyboard keys may or may not be uniform. Look at the F and J keys - they may have a little dot of plastic to identify them with your fingertips. That little dot may make them heavier or lighter than other keys, affecting how they shake up in a hat. Some keyboards, like Das Keyboard, were built with different spring actions for different keys, which might or might not affect the weight or shape of each key. And some keyboards have larger curvatures for various key tops, and those keys definitely have different mass.

The problem is that creating perfectly symmetric keys is not a design goal for keyboard designers, so without studying and measuring each keyboard, you won't have assurance that any particular keyboard is suitably random for your purpose.

They may also be just fine if you are not looking to generate thousands of passwords. If you're concerned, though, consider repurposing a device designed to generate random values. A bingo cage could be refilled with 26 hand lettered balls. Playing cards could have handwritten letters and shuffled extensively. A 100-sided dice could be repainted to match your character set, and extra values blacked out to indicate "roll again".

See also "diceware" for a way to turn 6 sided dice into passwords.