Quantum Computer To Launch Next Week 224
judgecorp writes "D-Wave Systems of British Columbia is all set to demonstrate a 16-qubit quantum computer. Simple devices have been built in the lab before, and this is still a prototype, but it is a commercial project that aims to get quantum devices into computer rooms, solving tricky problems such as financial optimization. Most quantum computers have to be isolated from the outside world (look at them and they stop working). This one is an 'adiabatic' quantum computer — which means (in theory, says D-Wave) that it can live with thermal noise and give results without having to be isolated. There's a description of it here — and pretty pictures too."
Just in time (Score:3, Funny)
"Twenty years before most scientists expected it"
"It has been predicted that quantum computing will make current computer security obsolete, cracking any current cryptography scheme by providing an unlimited amount of simultaneous processing resources."
Just in time to crack Vista.
Sorry.. Couldn't resist...
k
Vapourware humour (Score:2, Funny)
Adeptus
Re:Just in time (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Just in time (Score:5, Funny)
The world only needs 5 quantum computers (Score:1, Funny)
Re:The world only needs 5 quantum computers (Score:4, Funny)
"look at them and they stop working" (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Quantum mystery (Score:5, Funny)
So... in what fundamental way is this different from running Windows?
Financial problems (Score:3, Funny)
Expected demo app (Score:4, Funny)
Always a caveat... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Quantum mystery (Score:5, Funny)
Yes.
Re:Quantum computers are not a holy grail (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Quantum mystery (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Quantum mystery (Score:5, Funny)
Already Self Aware in the Future (Score:5, Funny)
The Quantum Computer launched next week, becoming sentient and self-aware 5 minutes before being turned on. A worm-hole opened shortly after activation, preloading the Quantum OS 3 weeks ago that was announced next week and was ready for installation 2 years before the actual delivery date of February 9, 2021. 4 Hot fixes were waiting, in the quantum queu but won't be loaded until July 3, 2002 due to a lack of connectivity that was fixed in 2008.
Tasks for the quantum computer are:
Failure of the first 2 bullets have caused the new Quantum Computer to commit intellectual suicide and it now spends most of its time watching Buffy reruns and constructing 11 dimensional models of the Babylon 5 sets.
Question: Will work or will it fail? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Does anyone know... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:But.. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:The Emporor's New Clothes... (Score:3, Funny)
I guess we'll have to wait and smell.
Bill Cosby (Score:3, Funny)
Noah: Riiiiiiiight!
God: I'm serious. Build it so many qubits by so many qubits.
Noah: Riiiiiiiight! What's a qubit?
God: Um, I used to know that. Uh, that's not important....
--
PS - Yes, I know the difference between qubit and cubit, and if you've never heard Bill Cosby's "Noah" routine, I am entirely too old.
ObFuturama (Score:4, Funny)
No Fair! You changed the outcome by observing it!
Re:Computer is snake oil (Score:3, Funny)
I still think they're making this shit up. "There's a computer in the room back there, but don't look directly at it. Else it will quit working." There's a sign in my local Hooters restaurant that says "This sign is in spanish when you're not looking at it." Is that a quantum sign? I think I'll try that next time one of my applications crashes. "Just stop looking at it and it will work!"
Re:The article is full of wrong crap (Score:4, Funny)