Testimonials

In several things that I do, I require some form of randomness (for example, secure primary keys for databases, with almost no chance of collision error). To do this, I use your site to create them. A simple generation of numbers between 0 and 35, and then change them into their base-36 equivalent, however long the sequence needs to be, and you have an virtually unguessable primary key sequence. You can’t guess what the next key in the sequence will be. Very useful for keeping people from being able to hack your customer list and finding out who does business with you (they might be able to guess one, but the next won’t be sequential, so they would have to start all over again to find the next). I also use it in my writing, to generate datasets for locations and people by assigning integers to various items and using the site to pick the ones that apply.

—John Anderson

I think I've found the strangest use for Random.org's services: I retrieved a 256×256 random bitmap and changed the colors, and I use it as my Windows XP desktop wallpaper. I find that it's easier on the eyes than a large, screen-sized photograph; a small, repeated pattern; or even a solid color. I think of it as shag carpeting for the desktop. The two colors I actually use are #0055AA and #002B55, which I find fit well with the Windows XP color scheme. Now, what would be cool is if I could generate random bitmaps with more than two colors.

—Gus Polly