TalonKarrdeTN wrote:
When you're looting items off mobs you're not dealing with a database table of only 8 possible items you can ever loot either. Narrow down things to the same 8 items you're looking for and only those items, go on a killing/looting frenzy and see if you get the same 'salt and pepper' results over the course of a few days....I'm pretty sure you won't, and instead you'll see results closer to what you're seeing now with the RE process. Also, you're assuming just because your luck is running a certain way that that establishes a certain pattern. To go back to the casino analogy, you're making the same mistake many gamblers make as well, particularly slot players. Slot machines use RNG's, and many times they too give a hit or three close together followed by "3+ hours of nothing". But knowledgable slot players will tell you that this isn't a set 'pattern'; sometimes things just fall that way and over the long haul sometimes there are other such seemingly 'mini patterns' in play. The point here being, 'random' is still in play regardless of what results you see, because 'random' doesn't follow any set guidelines as to when or how often you're going to see positive results. The definition of 'random' is not 'evenly spread out over time', but rather 'lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern'. 
Message Edited by TalonKarrdeTN on 11-03-2004 09:55 AM
First your dealing with a computer. A logical device. I have attended several conferences and courses that discussed the topic of "Are computers capable of being completely random". The general consencus is that "No they cant be completely random". With a computer using a simple random number generator you get one of two things a steady set of numbers or a severe bellcurve. Here is an example. And one they used at one computer conference.
Take a simple random number generator. Have it give 1000 numbers between 1 and 10. One of two things will most likely happen.
a) The numbers are equally generated. 100 Ones, 100 Twos, 100 Threes, etc. Or something very close to that.
or
b) You will get a huge bell curve where the middle numbers 4, 5, 6, and 7 will be generated alot more. 5 and 6 will be the most.
Its a fact that a computer can not be truely random. Because it can not think randomly.
Now it doesnt matter how many of the items dropped are available. The 'hit' that the mob has loot is different from the 'hit' on what kind of loot. If they had programmed a random number generator to go through each and every item to get a 'hit' or not it would take so long as there are literally tons of possible items for it run through. So the shortest and less stressful program would be one with sub tables. First a number is generated to see if there is loot. Then a second is generated to see what kind of loot.
Since we are talking about the chance for loot and not the chance for what kind of loot my theory still stands. And I have continued testing it last night and into today. I get disks approximately every 3 - 4 hours of steady REing. I predicted a disk coming with in 5 REs successfuly. I looked at the clock and noted 3.5 hours had passed since I had got a disk. I then said I would get a disk in the next 30 minutes. And 5 REs later I got another disk. I did this again another 3 hours later and was close by 9 REs. This to me just shows how "unrandom" the looted disk system is.
As the definition of random is 'lacking a definate purpose, plan, or pattern' then by that definition and the fact I have a pattern proves its not random.
But its something I will keep testing to see just how patterned it is. I have begun keeping track of each disk, what loot it came from, and what time in game I got it.
Tyranus
Yoda: "When I die, the last of the Jedi, you will be!"
Luke: "Really? what about those 50,000 Jedi Masters outside comparing Saber Size?"
Yoda: "Sorry I am, My Bad it is"
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