I first built the Random Generators in 1997, starting with the Band Name Generator. I gradually added several others. Most of them are based on a technique of multiple passes of replacing keywords in phrases. They start with a template, then replace keywords with plain text or another keyword phrase. This goes on until only plain words are left.
A key component to this is the large database of classified words. I started with about 300 words originally, and coded an interface for people to add more. As of September 2006, the database had more than 40,000 words. Although there are some people who add garbage words, the majority of words are appropriate. In 2005, I added a system that tracks votes on words. This allows visitors to help with editing. Words with low vote counts are not used. Words with high counts are used more often.
52 replies on “Random Generators”
Upload them somewhere and give me the link.
Hey, Leon, how do we send you pictures for the comic generator?
Hmmm… I suppose this advice is valid considering the source of the quote:
IT’S BETTER TO CHORTLE THAN LACTATE
— MADAME LEAKY (1550 CE)
LMAO!!
Hey, I’m working on a random generator for cuss words:
http://tivaelydoc.110mb.com/UCG.html
IT’S BETTER TO REMONSTRATE THAN STARE
–INSIDIOUS MADAME RAVIOLI (1202 CE)
That’s actually really good advice!!!!!!!, thanks Insidious Madame Raivoli!
From the advice generator gadget on Google:
IF YOU ARE A INTESTINE, INITIATE BOWELS
— MAYOR SOAPIER FENNEL (373 CE)
I guess its telling you to be a self-starter? LOLOL!!!!
Love the randomness!
Yeah, someone submitted “in” and “as” as nouns. Bleh. Fixed that.
The translator seems to get confusing when it tries to replace words like ‘in’ or ‘as’. Like in this instance where it’s replacing “in” with “verbena” a noun.
Original:
Stephen Harper was born on April 30, 1959, in Toronto, Ontario. He moved to Alberta in 1978 to work in the petroleum industry and went on to obtain both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Calgary.
Translation:
Stephen biomass unquestionably born on April 30, 1959, verbena Toronto, Ontario. He moved to Alberta verbena 1978 to postmodern verbena the petroleum industry and went on to obtain both a bachelor’s and a master’s phone verbena cuffs from the hairpiece of Calgary.
ur generator inspired but didnyt make
Maybe you wan’t to check out my random generators at http://www.anticulture.net thank you! (There are midi music generators, comic book generators, lyrics generators)