In message <342F697E.7D2F45DB@ilink.nis.za>, Eric van Es writes: >Eric Smith wrote: > >> Jim Dolson wrote: >> > One pseudo random bit is plenty. >> >> Okay, I've pseudo-randomly picked '0'. >> >> Sorry, couldn't resist. >> Eric > >Then I'll pick '1'. > >I could not resist either That's the trouble. You need resistance and then things get really random. Actually, in all seriousness, there has been much discussion about random number generators in the list and everything that anybody has said about a 8-bit generator applies to a 1-bit one. You can use a noise source such as a Zenar diode and amplify the noise, if necessary so your one bit flickers on and off with the noise. If you have key strokes or some other asynchronous events, you can and them with the clock and latch the results each time to get a bit that is sometimes on and sometimes off. Some others suggested a shift register with feedback so you can do just about anything that gives you a bit that isn't on all the time. A cold solder joint is a good low-frequency random number generator. I hope there is one in the system that spams the PIC list from time to time. Martin McCormick WB5AGZ Stillwater, OK 36.7N97.4W OSU Center for Computing and Information Services Data Communications Group