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Quantum Computer Works Better Shut Off

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the oh-my-head dept.

waimate writes "A New Scientist article relates how its possible to get answers from a quantum computer even when your program isn't running." From the article: "With the right set-up, the theory suggested, the computer would sometimes get an answer out of the computer even though the program did not run. And now researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have improved on the original design and built a non-running quantum computer that really works."

16 of 376 comments (clear)

  1. Gee whiz by JPamplin · · Score: 4, Funny

    Wish I could do that with my "real" PC - save alot of power that way. Hard to see the screen though. ;-)

    --
    Stiny! Get me a danish!
    1. Re:Gee whiz by flyingsquid · · Score: 4, Funny
      I'll admidt I really don't understand what the article is talking about, but I'm pretty sure it has something to do with Heisenberg's Uncertainty...

      This sounds like zen buddhist computer science. Either that or something cooked up after a little too much of the green stuff. Still, makes me wonder. What kind of software do you run... erm, not run... on a computer that isn't running? Non-existent programs, like Duke Nukem Forever?

      Hrm. That would open up a whole new industry. That'd be a fun profession, full-time vaporware programmer... hell, I'm gonna start right now. I'm officially announcing VaporWorks, an integrated word processor, spreadsheet, calendar and presentation software suite, not running on your computer in the near future. If anyone needs me, I'll be on the beach in Cancun spending my startup money, not busy working 16 hour days to get it ready.

    2. Re:Gee whiz by Wilson_6500 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Too late. I hold the patent on all non-running software. You either must pay the monthly licensing fees for not running my software, or purchase and run my software, which itself requires the additional purchase of monthly update packages.

  2. It just sleeps on it. by SomeoneGotMyNick · · Score: 3, Funny

    I sometimes get better answers to my own questions simply by sleeping on it.

  3. Better when shut off! by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 3, Funny

    Neat! It's an updated Sinclair ZX-81!

    --
    Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
  4. and... by jcostantino · · Score: 4, Funny

    in unrelated news, my refrigerator light bulb works better with the door closed.

    --
    Reviews with a twist! http://www.sardonicbastard.com
  5. Laziness... by bwcarty · · Score: 4, Funny

    I may appear lazy, but on a quantum level, I'm really quite busy.

  6. In related news.... by Lxy · · Score: 3, Funny

    Microsoft reported earlier today that Windows performs better with your PC shut off.

    --

    There is no reasonable defense against an idiot with an agenda
    :wq
    1. Re:In related news.... by slashname3 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Microsoft reported earlier today that Windows performs better with your PC shut off.

      Funny, most users report the same thing.

  7. The Next Step by the+eric+conspiracy · · Score: 3, Funny

    I can just see the next article - "Quantum Software Works Better Without A Computer".

    And the followup:

    "Quantum Software Works Better Before Writing the Code Than After Writing the Code".

  8. Re:So how do we... by leonardluen · · Score: 5, Funny

    So how do we overclock it?

    buy more cats

  9. Re:Oh Great: Ultimate in quantum malware by timster · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yeah, I can see it now:

    "You imbecile! You let that virus infect our systems!"
    "But I didn't open the file!"
    "Yes, but there was a 2 percent chance that you would have, so two percent of our data was affected... and included in that two percent was your entry in the payroll database. So I'm not firing you, but you won't be paid anymore."
    "This sucks! I'm going to commit Schroedinger's Seppuku! You'll regret this when I walk in that door with my guts both spilling out and in my body!"

    --
    I have seen the future, and it is inconvenient.
  10. Re:Deep Thought... by Noryungi · · Score: 4, Funny

    The computer says the answer is 42.

    All we need to do now is program the question...

    Duh. The question was: "An African, or a European Swallow?".

    Think about THAT for a second. ;-)

    --
    The right to offend is far more important than the right not to be offended. (Rowan Atkinson)
  11. Schrodinger's programmer by LandKurt · · Score: 5, Funny
    If anyone needs me, I'll be on the beach in Cancun spending my startup money, not busy working 16 hour days to get it ready.

    No, here's what you do. You build a shielded, sound proofed room with your computer workstation, a nice entertainment center, bar and comfy recliner. Then you seal yourself in the room so no one can tell what you're doing. Either you have the computer turned on and are hard at work programming or you're kicked back doing nothing enjoying yourself. Call it Schrodinger's programmer.

    Now, if your computer is hooked up to the Zeno effect device described in the article, it should be able to read the results of your work whether you actually did it or not. This should usher in a revolution in work environment for programmers everywhere.

  12. New Underpants business model for success by saskboy · · Score: 4, Funny

    New business model:
    1. Buy super quantum computer
    2. ???
    3. Profit!

    We now know step 2. Shut the computer off and go for a long weekend.

    --
    Saskboy's blog is good. 9 out of 10 dentists agree.
  13. Dammit Bill (was Re:Gee whiz) by Aumaden · · Score: 4, Funny

    Get your ass back to Redmond!