Random
Related: fragmentation - nonlinearity - interactive fiction
Contrast: linearity - sequential
Random access
Random access is the ability to access a random element of a group in equal time. The opposite is sequential access, where a remote element takes longer time to access. A typical illustration of this distinction is the ancient scroll (sequential) and the book where any random page can be flipped open immediately. A more modern example is computer storage on magnetic tape on spools (sequential) and hard disks (random access). --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_access, Feb 2004Another example is the vinyl analogue disc and CD vs tape
Instant access
The Internet is also having a profound impact on knowledge and worldviews. Through keyword-driven Internet research, using search engines, like Google, millions worldwide have easy, instant access to a vast amount and diversity of online information. Compared to books and traditional libraries, the Internet represents a sudden and extreme decentralization of information and data. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet, Feb 2004Aleatory
Aleatory (or aleatoric) means "pertaining to luck". Aleatoric art is that which exploits the principle of randomness. A common form of aleatoric art is aleatoric music. One of the most ambitious aleatory projects in poetry is Raymond Queneau's Cent Mille Milliards de Poèmes. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleatory, Jul 2004Randomness in music
Randomness in music is deemed postmodern, including John Cage's chance derived Music of Changes, Iannis Xenakis' stochastic music, aleatoric music, indeterminate music, or generative music. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randomness#Randomness_in_music [Dec 2004]
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