| |
BGonline.org Forums
Dice Apps & arc4random_uniform(6)
Posted By: Phil Simborg In Response To: Dice Apps & arc4random_uniform(6) (Bob Koca)
Date: Friday, 24 February 2017, at 5:02 a.m.
Thank you, Bob. I stand corrected. I truly am not an expert on statistical analysis and I cannot properly define what tolerances are acceptable and at what point we do or do not have random rolls. Someone, somewhere must have a reasonable definition. Perhaps it is two standard deviations? Perhaps if the standard deviation is supposed to happen 32 percent of the time, it is not random if it happens 53% of the time?
You are right Bob, I need to leave the mathematical science to others. And I do appreciate your saying the rest of my points are useful.
So let me put it in layman's terms: electronic dice which use a random generator, and records the rolls, and proves to have a reasonably fair distribution of the dice over a long period of time, beats the hell out of our rounded dice, which, by definition have physical flaws, and that, by logic, must cause some undesired affect on the randomness of the rolls.
Now, having said that, my entire point is that all of this is a non-issue in the real world. Using a dice app or rounded dice are good enough for all of us to play a nice, fair game of backgammon, UNLESS someone is a cheater and tampers with either method of rolling. And since there are ways to safeguard from this with both rolling methods, and since we all agree that cheating is not common and should not be our main focus, then let's stop this nonsense about randomness and consider the merits of using an electronic dice app when and where it could enhance the game or be of benefit to spectators and players with disabilities. And let's not rule out its use, or draw lines in the sand, until we test it and try it and see if the benefits truly are worth making a change from what we are all used to and enjoy.
| |
BGonline.org Forums is maintained by Stick with WebBBS 5.12.