For a while there, it seemed like quantum computers were up there with "Duke Nukem Forever" in terms of vaporware. Sure, they could add 2+2, but it required a specialized cryogenic system and an MRI machine in order to do it.

And then suddenly, we get this announcement: http://www.techworld.com/opsys/news/index.cfm?newsID=7972&pagtype=all

Well crap, I guess this makes RSA encryption kind of obsolete. Time to go back to the good ol' one-time-pad (or actual quantum encryption, hah).

will they let me use the printer for making pizzas?

I agree with this sentiment of Dr. Seth Lloyd:
"I'll be a bit of a sceptic till I see what they have done..."

I actually wrote a paper on quantum computers (basic and sort of not that well written :() that goes over how they work if anyone is interested.

what does this mean to someone normal?

absolutely nothing

Exponential speed up for a bunch of algorithms (for security and security cracking and such). As to normal programs, I don't think it helps much currently but I could be wrong.

Nothing until the next Elder Scrolls is released. Then you'll need every qubit you can get.

dot dot dot

WE ARE DOOMED

Simgularity!

Ahahahahahaha. That just made my day.

I don't know what's so funny about that typo, but it's hilarious.

Can you imagine? Quantum computing before DNF.

DNF, exclusively for the quantum computer :o.

That doesn't even make sense, since no video game I know of contains problems that a quantum computer is any better at than any other computer.

Now all those jokes actually make sense...

In fact, they're substantially worse.

A computer with *some* quantum computing parts would be nice. I especially like the idea of a quantum one-time-pad that uses the heisenberg uncertainty principle to test if the line is being eavesdropped on. Of course, now that we have a quantum computer, we have to find a way to route quantum state packets.

Quantum computing is still a long way off, if it's even possible at all. We need to find a way to manipulate qubits that doesn't involve four ton electro magnets first. IIRC, the record for a general purpose quantum computer is 7 qubits. What these guys did, it's nothing new. Special purpose quantum computers have been around for a decade, if not more. They've just got the marketing and the press. If they can make it available outside the particle-accelerator community, that's nice. But don't expect anything amazing.

If you are talking about phone lines, how the hell would that work? The HUP has nothing to do with the observer. It doesn't require intelligence to collapse the probability. It just requires some measurement. Nothing more than a photon striking the atom, or passing through any point where the particle might be. An eavesdropper would have no effect on the 'pad'.

This is badass. I had a course on quantum cryptography and quantum theory.

It's unfortunate that Heisenberg is no longer alive... I mean, along with the fact that the man was ostracized after World War 2 even though he probably could have contributed more to the scientific community had the whole Copenhagen thing not happened.

meh, i prefer the joke about the entire spirit/oppertunity mission going from initial plans to where it is now and DNF is still not out yet.