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Old September 16, 2002, 11:26   #1
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Beyond Alpha Centauri:::::::Discussion Thread 7
Id like for everyone check in with their factions and use this thread for BAC discussion along with our usual banter.

Spartans---Sprayber
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Old September 16, 2002, 12:54   #2
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I'm still here.

I guess I have to write any further story posts on the "borrowed" college computer, until my computer problem is fixed.


I still control the University.



That aside, I'd like to know who's in and who's out. I know for certanity that Frankychan, Sprayber, and Silence are still with BAC, myself included.


Kass, are you really leaving? Think about Greg and Filkins!

But if you're truly leaving, then would you mind giving control of the EC to me, so I can continue the GHE - EC - UCS alliance? I wouldn't mind the extra "work". Also, it'll ensure continuity in BAC for several other plot lines like CyberGod's Titan moons, the Alliance talks, Peace conference, and so forth.


Mr. President, I'm sure Mellian isn't going to write any story posts any time in the future. I wanted to explore some ideas with you, like the Temple, and maybe a soccer side story. Just don't leave, man! :sad:


I'll check in later.
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Old September 16, 2002, 13:10   #3
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I'm still here.

Hive & the "benevolent" Sheng-ji Yang-frankychan
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Old September 16, 2002, 15:36   #4
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I'm here now. I'm terribly sorry if I dropped out of my participation on this project and I am deeply sorry for not informing any of you.

I'd like to continue my participation in BAC but without the EC (Kass) this would seem near to impossible. However I have another plot-line:

* Queen Maria's generals get uppitty and power-hungry, she arrests one under the charge of corruption.
* A new sub-group of Nova Saturna appears - Saturnian Order - a pro-despotic group that opresses people with fear and illegal paramilitary groups
* Maria is assasinated, at an anneversary of Titanian independence - Saturnian Order claims power. Rebels, led by Nicholas Popullos, form Union of Democracy
* Nicholas and other important figures arrested
* The Saturnian Order gets *****y with the TA and EC - conflict occurs by an assault against EC ships
* Earth strikes back with full force and re-claims Titan under its rule
* Nicholas is freed but sees destruction on Titan. He decides to purchase (and build additional) colony ships and carry the most just and free-thinking citizens to another world to colonize
* Union of Democracy makes contact with the Scions (please whoever's in charge - I'd love for this new faction to gain some Scion tech and form good relations with them, PLZ?)
* Nicholas leads colony ships, with people from all over Sol (Mars, Belters, Saturn., Jupiter, Earth, Luna, Venus) to colonise an uninhabites system (if there is any???)

I like this because - (1) I makes me (at least semi) independent of what goes on in Sol and whether Kass comes back or not; (2) leaves minimal people in charge of the disputed Sol territories and decreases our deficiency in discussing issues and problems in Sol; (3) It would be fun!

So my questions are:
* Does this plot hold water?
* Are there any uninhabited planets left? I don't neccessarily want a planet near Earth. If Sovereign agrees, we could be neighbours!

So, thoughts?

And I really hope Kass, History and Mr Prez come back - they contributed so much to BAC, and it would be a real shame for them to go.
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Old September 16, 2002, 18:14   #5
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I am still here, college is a bit of time consumer along with several other forum games I am part off, but I do hope to get a post off this week.

Once I reduce my Hammer of God threat, the Conclave is going to focus back on the rest of the galaxy.
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Old September 16, 2002, 19:47   #6
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If you still want me back, even after my recent conduct, I'll return.
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Old September 16, 2002, 20:22   #7
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I tell you guys what. I take a little time off and everything goes to hell. welcome back everyone.
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Old September 16, 2002, 20:30   #8
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Well, Kassiopeia would also like to return, so I hear. If all is clear, I'll come up from out of the bunker with Mr. President and Kassiopeia, and we'll return to writing! Long live CEO Nwabudike Morgan!
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Old September 16, 2002, 20:40   #9
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Well, if that's a "yes", here's what I'm thinking of in the way of plot:

The peace conference goes ahead on Firaxis, but is somewhat overshadowed by an incident (the scout patrol) on the border of Hive space and the Drone-controlled area of the Bree Fringe. Even as the Morgan-Terra war ends, the Drones and the Hive move towards a collision.

Meanwhile, Lady Deirdre presses her search for Cha Dawn, and the Temple researchers visit Spira to consult with Indiana Jones and his team. ( )

I'd like to finally write up the end of the New Seattle soccer team's trip to Sparta and get them on to Morgan Interstellar. What do we think?
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Old September 16, 2002, 21:00   #10
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Quote:
Originally posted by Sprayber
I tell you guys what. I take a little time off and everything goes to hell. welcome back everyone.
I thought you were just scared of me and the Hive! (just kidding!)

Yay! It seems like the majority is back....time for Yang to get to business

....and finish that freekin' post!
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Old September 16, 2002, 21:31   #11
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BTW, I just got enough posts to change my avatar....AND I finally figured out how to change the image to make it fit!

Do you guys like it? It's Dr. Doom! My hero!
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Old September 16, 2002, 22:42   #12
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Cool!
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Old September 16, 2002, 23:14   #13
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Before i go on, will continue in the discussion threads and Only state ideas and contructive opinions. will avoid commenting on anything kass, mr. president and history guy does, as i am not interested in acquire more beef from them, as i am full enough of it . if they want me out of BAC completly, including the discussion, they are to say so now please. Signed by Mellian



Quote:
* Nicholas is freed but sees destruction on Titan. He decides to purchase (and build additional) colony ships and carry the most just and free-thinking citizens to another world to colonize
* Union of Democracy makes contact with the Scions (please whoever's in charge - I'd love for this new


my plans for the scions, if i was allowed back and allowed to have them, was that they discovered something at the core of their Dark Planet, which they already knew is mostly artificial and created by some ancient race, a control center of some sort.... after many months of figuring things out, tests and research... all done in research.... discover a transwarp drive, or something that simply transports the Dark Planet to another location... after discovering the thing, they started made plans to transport their world elsewhere.... especially when the civil war, the TA collapse, and EC's reign of terror begins.

the point is, they would be willing to share some techs with others planning to leave Sol, in exchange for things they need....like certain tech or whatever to fix up the "transwarp" engine enough to work once.... stuff they would need for chosen destination.... like expanding within a system... and defence afterwards, and so on. hey, scions can build you some colony ships pretty quickly using their biometal and nanoconstruction/nanolath type technologies they may even join your Union of Democracy or simply be neighbours at a neighbouring system.

Quote:
faction to gain some Scion tech and form good relations with them, PLZ?
Quote:
)
* Nicholas leads colony ships, with people from all over Sol (Mars, Belters, Saturn., Jupiter, Earth, Luna, Venus) to colonise an uninhabites system (if there is any???)
there always a uninhabited system with the civil war and the collapse of the terran alliance, finding people to leave Sol won't be too hard. Can definatly get some people with ships from the Belters (band of independents, clans, gangs and etc anyway) and Venus (military ships are privatly own by individuals...have the people provide the military while the collective gov does the organization, training and so on). can get a whole slew of experiences and specialties.... but different past nationalities and idealogies could also pose some problems too.

your convoy probably won't be the last to escape Sol....as refugees will flow to nearby worlds or simply colonize elsewhere.

oh and another thing, the Novan pirate clan is hanging out with the Belters at the moment. so can get them to join along, to provide escort and decent tech level military to start off with. hey, a lot of chiron factions don't like them anymore and they are not interested in hanging out in a troubled system.

Quote:
I like this because - (1) I makes me (at least semi) independent of what goes on in Sol and whether Kass comes back or not; (2) leaves minimal people in charge of the disputed Sol territories and decreases our deficiency in discussing issues and problems in Sol; (3) It would be fun!
yes, one of the reason i would vote timewarp is because that sharing the same system problem can easily be resolved, where in comparison, may take sometime writing about it....unless of course you want to

Quote:
So my questions are:
* Does this plot hold water?
* Are there any uninhabited planets left? I don't neccessarily want a planet near Earth. If Sovereign agrees, we could be neighbours!
lots of good peripheral systems to go colonise at the edge of human space.

if you don't like my ideas, and don't want me to say anything to you, tell me now please.

-Mellian
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Old September 17, 2002, 03:45   #14
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I'm still here, and of course still in control of the Cadre... my plans for the civil war as yet are:

1) The assault on Dienkes base is successful, but Lysander gets away to the northern continent, which is mostly his.

2) Spartan and Hive ships both arrive in-system, and confront one another, Spartan ships demanding that the Hive ones leave (though they won't knwo that they're Hive, even if they suspect it), and the hive presumably refuse. I'll need to know what Sprayber and franky think before I can go further.
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Old September 17, 2002, 14:03   #15
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I've had a refreshing set of ideas from Sovereign, which are much more peaceful and logical than my own I suppose . And Mellian's stance on this is most welcoming, plus I'd quite like to have a diverse society which would include the Scions.

So here is the revised plot:

* When EC cracks down on the TA / TAF to unify the whole Sol system under one banner and government, Titan would be a prime target since Titan just ceded from EC control. So the task of reclaiming Titan for EC would be underway.
* However, Maria and Nicolas predicted this, so they already have a plan for such an occasion. They are able to evacuate most of Titan's scientists, engineers, artists, and leaders, as well as some civilians in their organic ships. They also manage to bring their technology and lab research information, onboard, leaving next to nothing behind for the EC to find once they reclaim Titan.
* An assasination plot by the Saturnian Order fails and numerous corrupt politicans and right-wingists are arrested on Titan.

From here on things can change. What follows is something which can be altered:

* Contact with Scions is made and an exchange of techs takes place (if that's okay) and Scions agree to help Nicholas' colonisation efforts.
* We contact the University - I am negotiating this with Sovereign

So Sprayber: is there any free section of planets near the UCS territory?
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Old September 17, 2002, 14:39   #16
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Mellian-- We shall hold you to that promise.

As for my plans...

Firstly, I want to land CEO Morgan on Firaxis next post, and start the Conference, if Kassiopeia would be happy to help, and Sprayber as well. If Lonestar comes back any sooner, he might also like to chuck in some assistance.

Here is my plan...Kassiopeia, would it be alright if...Morgan is given by a spy at EC HQ (i.e. the chap who killed Cvaener) a copy of Elise Drecaille's orders for the assassination of Tremaine. It is the only copy still in existance, the rest have been destroyed (Elise ate them all... ). Morgan decides that he might well fare better with the TA at the Conference if he presents Stormhill with the information. Think of it! "Stormhill quickly read over the papers, and then set an eye on the incredibly sheepish Elise Drecaille"!

Furthermore, I should like to continue the UN plot (i.e. assassination of Commissioner, new Commissioner...coup in the wings...).

Lastly, this mafia plot is going to be huge, and it's all going to tie in with the Coalition and Capella, if that is alright. At the end, we might even have a nice Godfather-type scene in which Morgan exacts his revenge on everyone he finds responsible.

Ah, the glories of BAC...
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Old September 17, 2002, 14:41   #17
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And Cybergod, Morgan would be right pleased to assist the Saturnians in any way possible...covertly, of course. We might be able to cause a lot of damage to the Earthers, in a way to exact revenge, without getting bad press.
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Old September 17, 2002, 22:24   #18
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General Tacticus-I'm all for it! The Hive aid ships to Lysander are disguised as merc/pirate ships so they won't have any "official" tie to the Hive (like you said) but they will be commanded by crack Hive personnel. Kinda like how the Galactic Empire was still professional, but merc-like.

We gotta discuss w/Sprayber more.....AND I still gotta freekin finish my post!

To give you guys the heads up on what's happening to me in real life-Gonna grad college in less than a year so I'm gonna start volunteering for the Department of Corrections here in Hawaii. This "may" mean that I won't reply in time....(but I doubt it).

Peace out baby!
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Old September 18, 2002, 09:19   #19
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Uh oh.

Remind me not to be an inmate in FrankyChan's volunteer prison. I bet he has nerve stapling or Punishment Spheres there.


Just kidding, buddy.
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Old September 19, 2002, 17:32   #20
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*a ball of tumbleweed rolls by*
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Old September 19, 2002, 23:19   #21
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Tres droll. Can you say "Week 9 of Second Year Biomedical Engineering, Knowledge Factor = 0"?



Seriously, this morning I added a paragraph to "Match Day", the story about Sam Mendes and Brian at the big Orion Club Challenge soccer game between the New Seattle Razorwings of Firaxis and Sparta Command. I'm busy this weekend, though, so don't hold your breath.

No, wait, on second thought, hold your breath. That'd be funny.
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Old September 20, 2002, 10:44   #22
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I see, from a glance, that there's a lot of stuff for me to address. But I'm a bit stripped of time - frankly, my head's a jumble at the moment after being offline for three straight days (the horror!) - so now all I can say is - enjoy my latest addition.

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Old September 20, 2002, 20:00   #23
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Don't worry, I did enjoy it.

And where have Gendo and Urza gone?

Edit: Avatars have been disabled until after the Play The World chat, according to someone in the Apolyton / Community forum.
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Old September 20, 2002, 21:17   #24
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Edit: Avatars have been disabled until after the Play The World chat, according to someone in the Apolyton / Community forum.
I wondered where they'd all gone.
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Old September 21, 2002, 01:58   #25
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My Dr. Doom is gone!

Good job guys! BAC is picking up steam.....
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Old September 21, 2002, 11:38   #26
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Ah, a return to normalcy. Splendid...now, I've got to catch Kassiopeia and corner him about my story idea!
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Old September 21, 2002, 15:19   #27
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Quote:
Kass, are you really leaving? Think about Greg and Filkins!
By gods, you're right!
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Old September 21, 2002, 21:44   #28
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*read the last story post in BAC*

oh well

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Old September 22, 2002, 19:40   #29
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Art Imitates Life Imitates Art . . .
Beyond Alpha Centauri scientists have been trying to invent quantum computers. Their real-world counterparts are also close - more than seven hundred years before our little story is set.

This article is from almost a year ago, but I only ran across it today. Ah, where does the time go?

http://www.research.ibm.com/resource..._quantum.shtml

IBM Research News: IBM's Test-Tube Quantum Computer Makes History

SAN JOSE, Calif., December 19, 2001 - Scientists at IBM's Almaden Research Center have performed the world's most complicated quantum-computer calculation to date. They caused a billion-billion custom-designed molecules in a test tube to become a seven-qubit quantum computer that solved a simple version of the mathematical problem at the heart of many of today's data-security cryptographic systems.

"This result reinforces the growing realization that quantum computers may someday be able to solve problems that are so complex that even the most powerful supercomputers working for millions of years can't calculate the answers," said Nabil Amer, manager and strategist of IBM Research's physics of information group.

In today's issue of the scientific journal Nature, a team of IBM scientists and Stanford University graduate students report the first demonstration of "Shor's Algorithm" -- a method developed in 1994 by AT&T scientist Peter Shor for using the futuristic quantum computer to find a number's factors -- numbers that are multiplied together to give the original number. Today, factoring a large number is so difficult for conventional computers -- yet so simple to verify -- that it is used by many cryptographic methods to protect data.

A quantum computer gets its power by taking advantage of certain quantum properties of atoms or nuclei that allow them to work together as quantum bits, or "qubits," which serve simultaneously as the computer's processor and memory . By directing the interactions between qubits while keeping them isolated from the external environment, scientists enable a quantum computer to perform certain calculations, such as factoring, exponentially faster than conventional computers. When factoring large numbers using a conventional computer, each added digit roughly doubles the time to find the factors. In contrast, the quantum factoring time increases by only a constant increment with each additional digit.

The simplest meaningful instance of Shor's Algorithm is finding the factors of the number 15, which requires a seven-qubit quantum computer. IBM chemists designed and made a new molecule that has seven nuclear spins -- the nuclei of five fluorine and two carbon atoms -- which can interact with each other as qubits, be programmed by radio frequency pulses and be detected by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instruments similar to those commonly used in hospitals and chemistry labs.

The IBM scientists controlled a vial of a billion-billion (1018) of these molecules so they executed Shor's algorithm and correctly identified 3 and 5 as the factors of 15. "Although the answer may appear to be trivial, the unprecedented control required over the seven spins during the calculation made this the most complex quantum computation performed to date," Amer said.

"Now we have the challenge of turning quantum computation into an engineering reality," said Isaac Chuang, leader of the research team and now an associate professor at MIT. "If we could perform this calculation at much larger scales -- say the thousands of qubits required to factor very large numbers -- fundamental changes would be needed in cryptography implementations."

While the potential for quantum computing is huge and recent progress is encouraging, commercial quantum computers are still many years away. NMR-based quantum computers are laboratory experiments. The first quantum computing applications would likely to be co-processors for specific functions, such as solving difficult mathematical problems, modeling quantum systems and performing unstructured searches. Word processing or simple problem-solving tasks are more easily handled by today's computers.

IBM's demonstration of Shor's algorithm also shows the value of quantum computing experiments using NMR, an approach pioneered independently in the mid-1990s by Chuang and Neil Gershenfeld of MIT and by David Cory and colleagues, also at MIT. "Our NMR experiments stimulated us to develop fundamental tools that can be used in many future types of quantum computers," said Chuang. "Most important of these was a way to simulate and predict the signal degradation caused by 'decoherence' -- unintended quantum fluctuations. This tool enabled us to minimize decoherence errors in our 7-qubit experiment."

While NMR will continue to provide a testbed for developing quantum computing tools and techniques, it will be very difficult to develop and synthesize molecules with many more than seven qubits. As a result, new experiments at IBM and elsewhere are aimed at developing new quantum computing systems that can more easily "scale" to the large numbers of qubits needed for practical applications. Strong candidates today include electron spins confined in semiconductor nanostructures (often called quantum dots), nuclear spins associated with single-atom impurities in a semiconductor, and electronic or magnetic flux through superconductors. Atomic and optical implementations continue to be evaluated.

Co-authors of the Nature report with Chuang are Gregory Breyta, Mark Sherwood and Costantino Yannoni of IBM-Almaden and Stanford University graduate students Lieven M.K. Vandersypen and Matthias Steffen.

Quantum Computing History:
When quantum computers were first proposed in the 1970s and 1980s (by theorists such as the late Richard Feynman of California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif.; Paul Benioff of Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois; David Deutsch of Oxford U. in England., and Charles Bennett of IBM's T.J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, N.Y.), many scientists doubted that they could ever be made practical. But in 1994, Peter Shor of AT&T Research described a specific quantum algorithm for factoring large numbers exponentially faster than conventional computers -- fast enough to defeat the security of many public-key cryptosystems. The potential of Shor's algorithm stimulated many scientists to work toward realizing the quantum computers' potential. Significant progress has been made in recent years by numerous research groups around the world.

While at IBM, Chuang extended his reputation as one of the world's leading quantum computing experimentalist. He led the team that demonstrated the world's first 2-qubit quantum computer (in 1998 at University of California Berkeley). At IBM-Almaden, Chuang and colleagues were first to demonstrate important quantum computing algorithms -- Grover's database-search algorithm in 1999 with a 3-qubit quantum computer and order finding last year (August 2000) with a 5-qubit quantum computer. The factorization using Shor's algorithm announced today is the most complex algorithm yet to be demonstrated by a quantum computer.

In addition to its ambitious experimental program, IBM Research is also noted for its many theoretical contributions to the emerging field of quantum information. IBM scientists pioneered quantum cryptography, quantum communications (including the concept of quantum teleportation) and efficient methods of error correction. David DiVincenzo, research staff member at IBM's Watson lab, has promulgated the five criteria necessary for a practical quantum computer:

1. a scalable physical system with well-characterized qubits;
2. the ability to initialize the qubit state;
3. decoherence times much longer than the quantum gate operation time;
4. a universal set of quantum gates; and
5. the ability to measure specific qubits.
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Old September 22, 2002, 22:51   #30
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