As a programmer, I learned many things in my studying for my degree and extracurricular reading. One thing I did learn is that truly "random" functions cannot exist in a computer generated environment, only pseudo-random (the appearance to the outside world is random, even if the next result is predictable by virtue of the function being used to generate the "random" number can be extrapolated). I also learned that about less "random" algorithms, often used to simulate randomness of a less "random" nature - things like the random play function on a CD player.
I have a stock radio/CD player in my car. As with all CD players, it has a "random" function. Unfortunately, the engineer who designed this CD player took "random" a bit too seriously - this player's TRULY has a random play function. My drive time home tonight consisted of the following track numbers (on a 12 track CD):
1, 7, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5
On most random play functions, it is rare to hear two tracks in consecutive order, and I have *never* heard the same track repeated - the "random" function is skewed a bit toward jumping around the CD more (let's face it - if we engage the random function, we don't want to hear consecutive order). In other words, the random play function on most CD players is not really random, but designed to not play tracks in consecutive order, which is what you are usually looking for.
Seriously, who wants to hear the *same* track 3 times in a row? Or am I just missing something?
Posted by Mark at August 28, 2003 09:41 PMGreat article. Now, I'm looking for a CD player that will, say in a five tray unit, gO from one CD to the other, never playing from the same disc consecutively. Is there such a feature? What is the feature called? Can you help? Tx.
Posted by: Parrish McClain at November 14, 2003 08:36 PMTo be honest with you, I wouldn't be all that knowledgeable about that. I would personally like a feature like that myself, though, so if anyone else has an idea, I'd love to hear it!
Posted by: Mark at November 24, 2003 09:51 AM