I'm not always the biggest fan of quoting Wikipedia but here goes:
There is a common misconception that quantum computers can solve NP-complete problems in polynomial time. That is not known to be true, and is generally suspected to be false.[24]
'Nondeterministically' guessing the answer won't be enough. There is a class called BPP that concerns those algorithms classically, quantum computing goes further, but might still not be able to solve NP-complete problems fast.
You say "an NP problem is one that can be solved in polynomial time", but you either meant that the answer can be checked in polynomial time or that you know P=NP. In the last case large amounts of fame and money are waiting on you.
That's true, a qubit can be any superposition, say state = a |0> + b |1>. Both a and b are complex numbers, with |a|^2 + |b|^2 = 1.
If you would measure the qubit you would get either 0 or 1 as a result, but you could repeat your calculation (not just the measurement, that would just give you the same result). By repeating the calculation you would get more information about the state; you could approach |a|^2 and |b|^2, although you can not necessarily find a and b.
It looks to me like the difference between this and the CDR levy is that this proposal would actually make it legal to download and share music, while with the levy you pay and are still illegal. So this is a much better deal.
I'd almost say who wouldn't give up their vote for a big material gain? One vote makes a really small difference, and most votes are basically between a douche and a turd.
So what he's basically saying is that he'd like modifications to the code to remain in the open. They should create a license that makes sure that always happens!
Oh wait...
Slashdot Mirror
There is a common misconception that quantum computers can solve NP-complete problems in polynomial time. That is not known to be true, and is generally suspected to be false.[24]
'Nondeterministically' guessing the answer won't be enough. There is a class called BPP that concerns those algorithms classically, quantum computing goes further, but might still not be able to solve NP-complete problems fast. You say "an NP problem is one that can be solved in polynomial time", but you either meant that the answer can be checked in polynomial time or that you know P=NP. In the last case large amounts of fame and money are waiting on you.
There is no reason to believe NP-complete problems can be solved in polynomial time (let alone constant time) on a quantum computer.
Their competitors are probably green with envy!
That's true, a qubit can be any superposition, say state = a |0> + b |1>. Both a and b are complex numbers, with |a|^2 + |b|^2 = 1. If you would measure the qubit you would get either 0 or 1 as a result, but you could repeat your calculation (not just the measurement, that would just give you the same result). By repeating the calculation you would get more information about the state; you could approach |a|^2 and |b|^2, although you can not necessarily find a and b.
Because who would want to abort something as cute as a gun-toting fetus?
I think you won't like TV. Or sleeping too long, the silent killer!
It looks to me like the difference between this and the CDR levy is that this proposal would actually make it legal to download and share music, while with the levy you pay and are still illegal. So this is a much better deal.
I'd almost say who wouldn't give up their vote for a big material gain? One vote makes a really small difference, and most votes are basically between a douche and a turd.
Do not get in the party escort position. Run!
Actually, it is correct. Just think about "Copying is Verboten" (ignoring mixing of languages), and add "of DVDs, CDs".
So what he's basically saying is that he'd like modifications to the code to remain in the open. They should create a license that makes sure that always happens! Oh wait...