Is a Quantum Computer Possible? A Critical Look at Recent Claims

[Thrice]

Came across http://science.slashdot.org/science/07/02/08/1355255.shtml" yesterday. Slashdot does rather badly on upcoming science so I'm not taking it too seriously. I'm curious what you guys think, though.

 

[setAI]

D-Wave Systems, Inc. plans to demonstrate a technological first on Feb. 13: an end-to-end quantum computing system powered by a 16-qubit quantum processor, running two commercial applications, live.

This is the core of a new quantum computer to be unveiled by D-Wave Systems, says Steve Jurvetson, Managing Director of Draper Fisher Jurvetson, a leading venture-capital firm. "It is attached to a Leiden Cryogenics dilution fridge, ready to begin a cool down to 0.005 degrees above absolute zero. This quantum computer employs the resources of 65,536 parallel universes to compute answers in a fundamentally new way."

D-Wave claims it is the world's first and only provider of quantum computing systems designed to run commercial applications. The event will be hosted in Silicon Valley and Vancouver, B.C. [/color]

http://www.dwavesys.com/

I might go to the demonstration here in the Bay Area-

 

[B.E.M]

I found this link, which basically consists of an intelligent sounding person saying 'huh'?.. apart from that, not much.
http://dabacon.org/pontiff/?p=954"