On Wed, Nov 21, 2001 at 11:22:46PM -0800, Pong wrote: > > like if you need to generate random 8-character passwords > for thousands of CS student unix accounts, then this will do: > > head -c 6 /dev/urandom | mimencode > > using /dev/random might take a little longer because it blocks > if it cant output random digits outright.
/dev/random blocks only when its entropy pool gets empty which is gathered from environment noise or system activity, i.e., disk, network, drivers. -- .--. Michael J. Maravillo office://+63.2.894.3592/ ( () ) Q Linux Solutions, Inc. mobile://+63.917.897.0919/ `--\\ A Philippine Open Source Solutions Co. http://www.q-linux.com/ _ Philippine Linux Users Group. Web site and archives at http://plug.linux.org.ph To leave: send "unsubscribe" in the body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to the Linux Newbies' List: send "subscribe" in the body to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
