Music, Quantum Computers, etc

"Just a little bit louder, because this song is intended for humans, okay? Way Back Into Love, take two." - Alex Fletcher (Music and Lyrics)

Current Music Obsession: Soundtrack for Music and Lyrics

I recently watched Music and Lyrics on DVD. Excellent funny movie. If you haven't seen it, rush out and get it. Seriously. I don't see you rushing ;-) Just kidding. It is quiet funny. If you are into romantic comedies, this is one of the best. Plus, you get to see Hugh Grant sing and dance 80s style and if that doesn't make you laugh you are seriously not trying.

I then rushed out to purchase the soundtrack. A couple of really catchy songs. My favorites are: "Don't Write Me Off" and "Way Back Into Love". Both songs are quiet important to the plot of the movie.

Complete side note: Interesting article: "Scientists demonstrate quantum state exchange between light and matter"

My class is going well. Summer classes are so weird. You do in for the day which is really like a week in the normal term. Since I am only taking the one class it is kind of fun to just be focusing on it. Of course, I am suppose to also be narrowing down what I want to do research-wise. Unfortunately, that is on the back burner. Why? Because I like too many areas! I simply can't make up mind. (Yes, I am completely aware of my insanity. Moving on...) By the way this comic and this comic perfectly explain thesis.

Spring has arrived in Michigan. It is sunny and warm today. As normal we have had a bit of rain, but the temperatures are finally starting to pick up. Normally we are in the 70s at least and on often in the 80s. I can finally get out my short sleeve shirts and summer clothes.

I have been enjoying wearing sandals. I have my eye on a couple of interesting pairs at the store - but I have yet to buy any...yet. Of course, any of you who know me well know that it won't be long before I am buying new sandals. I did buy some clearance shoes the other day. Not sandels, but I need something to wear the other days of the year. (Yes, that is my story and I am sticking to it). I got this really cute pair of flats to wear with these pants that I recently got on clearance...

Enough about my shopping "issues" ;-) I better get back to my school work. I have a bunch of exciting reading about histogram algorithms (and other fun pattern recognition topics.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Until next time I remember to update my blog...

"We've been rambling all the night..."

"We've been rambling all the night
And some time of this day
Now returning back again
we bring a garland gay" - Loreena McKennitt (The Mummers' Dance)

Current Music Obsession: "The Mummers' Dance (Single Version)" by Loreena McKennitt (If it you haven't seen the music video or you want to the lyrics for it you can find it on this page).

Currently Reading Obsession: Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs

I thought I would post up a quick blog and say hello. I have good and exciting news. My computer may arrive ahead of the originally scheduled date! So soon I may actually have something fun and exciting to actually blog about ;-) I look forward to getting the computer. Spring break is in a couple of weeks, so I will have plenty of time to play...err study the laptop in great detail.

The weather has finally gotten above freezing the last couple of days here. It has been sooo nice. We have even seen a little sunshine. However, there has been some assuming side effects - like the snow falling off of the roof outside my window. I heard this load crashed and looked out to see a pile of snow...well there was already a pile of snow, so maybe larger pile of snow would be more accurate.

Well, I better get back to my homework since I don't think the induction proofs are going to write themselves. Thanks for stopping by a reading!

Articles I wanted to point out:
"Toshiba Plug Loophole in Security of Quantum Cryptography"

They always cancel all of the good shows: "Final Curtain Call for 'Studio 60'?" (Now what am I going to watch on Monday nights?!?)

It's a Dell!

"It's a poor sort of memory that only works backward." - Lewis Carroll (The Queen, Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There)

Currently Listening To: "Mo Ghile Mear" by Celtic Woman

Currently Reading: Better Than Sex by Susan Holtzer (which happens to be the final book in the Anneke Haagen series).

Will be reading soon:
Deception Point by Dan Brown
Digital Fortress by Dan Brown
Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs

About a week ago I tried to turn on my (Windows) laptop and it seemed to get "stuck" on the Windows sign-in screen. I thought it was a bit odd. Anyway, after several hours of analysis (and digging out all those disks that you get with a laptop by never use until something goes wrong) I have discovered that a portion of the hard drive is bad. The computer is about 4 years old and has received quiet a bit of wear.

I decided that it was time to purchase a new laptop. I probably won't have purchased a laptop midterm like this since I do have my PowerBook. However, I teach a Visual Basic 2005 and well not having a Windows machine is a bit inconvient. So after great consideration I purchased a new Dell XPS M1210 last night.

It is scheduled to be delieved in a couple of weeks (they gave me a date, but I can't think of it off-hand). Once I get it, I am sure I will force onto you, the reader, to learn all kinds of informaiton regarding the laptop that you really don't care about ;-) On a side note, does anyone know a good place to get a replacement hard drive for my old Dell laptop? If I can find a reasonable priced replacement then I have geeky plans for the old laptop.

A Bit of New:
Survey's can say anything: "Health written in the stars?"

On the quantum front: "Scientists Dubious of Quantum Claims"

This comic will be enjoyed by any grad student who teaches :)

Well, I better get back to working on my presentation for one of my classes. I am presenting a section of the book focusing on proving 3SAT is NP-Complete. Doesn't that sound like fun?

News 'N Laughs

"Not that anyone cares what I think, but the restaurant is at the *other* end of the Universe." - Marvin (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)

Hello! Sorry I haven't been updating for a couple of days. I really don't have an excuse, except that it is the last week of class for the first summer term. I have bene quiet busy helping students complete their assignments (and debugging odd errors in their program).

I have been watching The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy on one of my movie channels. It is a good movie. The first time I watched it I was kind of confused. However, when I watched it the second (and third time) I found it to be very entertaining and funny. It is truly a movie you have to watch twice. Marvin and the ship with a happy personality were my favorite parts.

On the quantum front: "Measuring single qubits"

Orchid lovers check this out: "Scientists Find Self-Fertilizing Orchid"

"What can a magnet tell you about rain patterns?"

Microsoft goes boldly into new frontiers: "Microsoft sees future in robots"

Good news for all you pandas who read my blog: "Panda poo raises conservationists' hopes for its population"

First iPods and now search engines: "Most Microsoft Workers Search With Google"

What is the world coming to? "Parents pinch pennies from piggy banks"

Thanks for stopping by! Well, I better get to my afternoon office hours. Until next time...

Sticky Water?

"Masquerade...paper faces on parade. Masquerade...hide your face so the world will never find you..." - The Phantom (The Phantom of the Opera)

"Scientists discover water is sticky on a small scale"

Other news 'n stuff:
"Taking Computers to the Quantum Level"

"Microsoft introduces public beta of Windows Live Messenger" (See I point out nice stuff about Microsoft...every once in a while...)

"Dolphins Name Themselves With Whistles, Study Says"

Not much of interest to report. I have had a little bit of time on my hands - which is often common during the first week of classes. So, I have had time to watch a few of movies (because I get a bunch of those movie channels with my cable). Anyway, I am watching The Phantom of the Opera. I hadn't seen the movie version before now which I have to say is an excellent movie.

However, I think I enjoyed going and seeing the musical in person. I will never forget seeing it in Toronto when I was in middle school. The soundtrack is so wonderful - absolutely wonderful. To read more about The Phantom of the Opera musical I suggest this link.

Let Love In

"And I wonder where these dreams go
When the world gets in your way
What’s the point in all this screaming
No one’s listening anyway"
From Acoustic #3 by Goo Goo Dolls

I purchased the newest Goo Goo Dolls CD (Let Love In) on Tuesday. Excellent CD! It was a great CD to listen to in the car. The CD has the song "Better Days" on it - which has got to the second best song of the Goo Goo Dolls. (The first being "Iris").

The term is almost over for me. I have to give an exam tomorrow morning. However, my exams are complete. I have been catching up on my sleep. I have even had a chance to working on my stack of "fun" reading. Oh and I also bought a new pair of sandals! (Yes, I have a thing for sandals...well shoes in general...most of them are black...but I say to each their own...) Lets just move on...

I also wanted to point out the following article: "Our Universe: A Quantum Loop". Oh and I wanted to point out another article: "Google Puts Money Behind Firefox Movement".

The truth is out there...or not...

Well, I hope you are enjoying your spring weather as much as I am enjoying mine. It is in the mid 60's here in Michigan. There is a slight breeze making everything seem so very nice and relaxing. Thanks for stopping by and reading!

Bunch of Linkies....

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

Go Apple Go! The Light is Green: "Apple's Safari showing major growth amongst browsers"

Try saying this five times fast: "Code for 'Unbreakable' Quantum Encryption Generated at Record Speed over Fiber"

The lastest regarding everyone's favorite: "Google, Sony create online 'Da Vinci' game"

Technology helping to fight crime: "Digital camera 'fingerprinting' developed"

Opps: "MS patch glitch cripples HP computers"

"Supercomputer simulates black hole collision" - my question: ummm...OK...why? According to the article: "breakthrough in the observation of black holes and in the understanding of the entire universe".

Today it is suppose to be (surprisingly) be in the 70s here in good old Michigan. Actually, for a change we have been having pretty nice weather. But as always the case with Michigan springs the weather is just a tad unpredictable.

I wrote this blog while having office hours. Of course, I don't think anyone will actually come, but I am having the office hours. These are the last office hours I am having for this term. I won't be having an office hours until the summer term. I got a job teaching a lab section of an intro class. It should be interesting. It is on the "main" part of campus which I have only ever visited twice.

Well thanks for stopping by and reading and all that. I should go do something productive and whatnot...hmmm...yeah...

Happy Easter!

"I suppose I'm a lemon! " - Hannah Brown (Easter Parade)

Saw a couple of news items I wanted to point out really quick before I get back to studying and what-not...

For those who 'dig' ancient stuff: "Ancient seaside villa found near Rome". (I know horrible, horrible pun, forgive me).

Soon to be TV movie: "Robots embedded at school in quest to bond with humans"

For the geek in you: "Quantum dots self-tune their color for ultra-efficient nano lasers"

Hope you enjoy your day! Well, I better get back to studying...and what-not...

Music to blog by: Soundtrack to The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
(There is even an song sung by Alanis Morisette - ducky!)

Quantum Bunnies

"Are you sure this water's sanitary? It looks questionable to me." - Young Tantor (Tarzan)

Doesn't the title just sound cool? "Scientists demonstrate quantum nature of entanglement swapping"

"Warming signs mount up in Antarctica"

"30 years of Apple: Assessing Apple's impact"

Soon to be (bad) sci-fi movie plot: "Long mobile phone use raises brain tumor risk"

"Prayer does not heal the sick, study finds" - I really want to make a comment here but I decided against it.

"New String-Theory Notion Redefines the Big Bang"

This movie looks funny: "Scrat steals 'Ice Age' show". (It is a movie, it has a sloth, hence I like it).

Now I hate to post and run, but I got lots to do this weekend. Projects and homework are coming along, slowly but they are getting there. Well, I think they are anyway.

Is my screen suppose to be getting all blurry like that? Oh wait I just needed to blink a couple times...

(Just ignore me and my sarcastic comments....It seemed a lot funnier in my head....)

It's Friday...

"Trouble just never lets up, does it?" - MacGyver

Please turn that radio dial so you can check out: "SuitSat"

Just an interesting article: "'Trust me, I'm a physicist' – the weird world of quantum entanglement"

This makes me speechless - Brawny Man: Innocent Escapes. I am so not buying their paper towels...

OK, that is all I got for posting. I better get back to homework. It's Friday and that means new episodes of Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, and Battlestar Galactica! I heard rumors of a big football game or something this weekend in Detroit...No I don't like football, but I did hear there is going to be MacGyver priceless commercial. (I only ever watch the commercials). Of course, everywhere you go there are signs about the game here in Michigan. There are these expressway signs that announce the "Super Bowl. Pass the keys. Drive Sober." (or something like that anyway).

Happy Holidays!

"Light the lamp, not the rat, light the lamp." - Rizzo the Rat (The Muppet Christmas Carol)

I finally finished sorting out grades and submitted them! Yippee. Now I can claim to be completely done (although I haven't had to do much for the past few days). Anyway, I have been busy with holiday activities - shopping, decorating, packing...

Yes, I have been packing for the family vacation. Where are we going? Florida - Orlando Florida to be exact. We are going after my graduation from BGSU :-) I am getting very excited - over both things. But enough about me...

Here are some articles you might enjoy:
"First vortex 'chains' observed in engineered superconductor"

"Printers to produce life-saving organs"

"Scientists' 'recipe' to help build a quantum computer"

Want to wish you all happy holidays! Because this may be one of the last chances I have to post a blog before the holidays start. Anyway, have a wonderful time. I will write an entertaining blog about my vacation when I get back.

Blog Magically Appears...

"Works every time. Just like magic." - Merlin (The Sword in the Stone)

I am busy studying for my last final - Tuesday night. Of course, after my final I have a bunch of grading to do, but my stuff will be completed :-) By the way isn't this comic so true...

Anyway, here are some articles and stuff you might want check out:
"A sugar-cube-sized competitor to iPod"

"Early birds had dinosaur feet"

"Mathematician's insight helps unravel knotty problem"

"Quantum Adds Security Capabilities To Tape Drives"

"Hynix releases world's fastest DRAM"

"Optical Vortex Could Look Directly At Extrasolar Planets"

"Detecting Single Viruses, Nanoparticles in Real-Time"

Now on to funny stuff:

Some people will do anything to be in the news and many of them seem to have way to much time on their hands.

Okay, this is different.

News Flash: giant straw goats are not safe

The poor bear it must be hard to sleep with all those kids waiting for the bus.

A little humor for the holidays

The precious has returned to it's master...

"So bright... so beautiful... our precious. " - Gollum (Two Towers)

I dropped of the precious (CD) that was forged at Mt. Doom (the CEA lab) today (i.e., I turned in a CD containing the final project for one of my classes - however, doesn't the first way sound so much cooler?). Through out the project code there are references to thePresious, theOne, theString, theCookie...you get the idea. Basically, that is what happens when you decide to write code in the early hours of the morning after having large quantities of caffine.

I left school after 4 AM and drove to my apartment in the 3 inches of snow covering the ground. Of course, they hadn't gotten around to salting or plowing so it was a never interesting drive (i.e., not one I am looking forward to making again anytime soon). It is snowing still. According to the local news channnel it is lake snow effect flurries (i.e., really big chunks of snow). I am sure it will add nicely to the 3+ inches already on the ground. So, Miata + 3 inches of snow + ice + hills + 4 AM = un-fun

I really think I have been working to hard, I am turing my life into a math equation - ohy! Anyway, here are some links. Have fun. I am going to go give a presentation (5 minutes, not much time to really talk about anything - just bottom line it) and then I can actually try and catch up on sleep...oh and study for finals...maybe that will be tomorrow...

Some people are fans of this guy: "Exclusive: Professor X Talks X3"

Have you smelled your car today? "Safer cars through touch, sound and smell"

When will they learn to not mess with google?

"First quantum byte created"

Links 'n More Links

"All great writers begin with a good leather binding and a respectable title. " - J.M. Barrie (Finding Neverland)

So it's Sunday again. The part I enjoyed the most? Getting that extra hour of sleep! Fall is really here to stay I think. It has been between 50 and 60 around here. The upcoming week appears to be more of the same. It is time to get out those warmer clothes and jackets. The leaves on the trees are turning lovely shades of red, orange, and yellow. We have maple tress in front of my parents house that are this wonderful fall red color.

You know kind of music I like to listen to during this time of year? Enya. I really like listening to the Paint The Sky With Stars CD. Did you know that there is a new Enya single out? Yep, I downloaded Amarantine from iTunes. The whole CD (also titled Amarantine) will be released on November 22.

It has actually been a pretty good weekend actual. I have a quiz on Tuesday to study for (my computer network class). Of course, I have a bunch of homework/projects to be working on, but it was a lighter weekend. Still need to finish my lecture for Tuesday's class. We are in the thick of loops currently. Well, I better get back to it.

Well, here are some links for ya':
I so understand this comic.

What will you being doing this halloween? To bad I have a quiz on Tuesday because this sounds like quiet a show.

Technology in schools - a never interesting article.

Latest on the quantum computer front: "Nanofabrication to lead to Quantum Computer"

If fuel prices keep going up these could become very popular ("The car that makes its own fuel")

"Don't Turn Away"

"Don't give in to the pain
Don't try to hide
Though they're screaming your name
Don't close your eyes
God knows what lies behind them
Don't turn out the light
Never sleep never die"
Lyrics from the song "Whisper" by Evanescence

Edit: For those who really love Stargate SG-1. Honestly, I like the show, but probably not that much. Of course, I am putting it my blog, so what does that say about me? I am just not going to think about it.

Yes, I did watch the new Enterprise episode on Friday night. I thought it was actually a good show and that the actors did an excellent job playing the evil twin role. I only had one problem with the episode - again the clothing choices. Only the female characters were dressed in extremely lacking of actual material uniforms. Like somehow the females are going to do better while wearing less clothing? Of course, many video games have this same problem. Why don't they put the male characters in similar outfits? Anyway, I thought the episode was good anyway and look forward to seeing the second part next week.

HP has announced that it will make servers with x86 dual-core processors. HP is going to put AMD's new Dual-Core AMD Opteron™ processor into the server. They believe that this could increase application preformance by 75%. Yikes, that would really be a jump.

What's big in the news? Space. Today there ismore about the space shuttle safety factors and stories about who's going to fly the shuttle. Also, this article is about the new asteroid belt that has been found near out sun's "twin". Cool. If you haven't read enough about space, check out this article about computers used in space.

This has the makings of a sci-fi movie. Seriously, this is really interesting. The medical uses are just amazing - leading "to new ways to treat cancer and prevent injury and death from insufficient blood supply to organs and tissues".

I wish I had been this person. Why is Intel interested all the suddend? Recently, it was the 40th anniversary of Moore's Law. Of course, that caused articles about supercomputers and quantum computers. Still fuzzy about quantum physics? Aren't we all!?! Here is an article you might want to glance over - and by glance we know I mean read maybe more than once until me actually get it.

The glaciers "continue their retreat". What does this mean to us? The sea water level will increase. Cause? Global warming. Speaking about Nature, there are these ants...

People interested in major in computer science seems to be dropping.

I know you'll want one of these. No need to thank me. What everyone wants to know how to control iTunes via the PSP.

Well, thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. I have a busy weekend so I better get to it. Happy Weekend everyone.

Oh and Rob - the song was "One & One" by Robert Miles that you were asking me about.

It Happens Every Thursday

Alternate Title: "Hamming 1 Will Get You 2"

"It isn't that they can't see the solution. It is that they can't see the problem." - G. K. Chesterton

In my Wednesday night class we discusses Hamming Codes invented by Richard Hamming. (For even more on Hamming Codes I recommend you take a glance at this paper). Hamming codes are pretty cool and simple. For every 4 bits of data you need 3 check bits - which gives you a total of 7 bits. With these 7 bits you can correct 1 error and detect 2 errors. Hamming codes are using in databases and even in servers with redundant data.

Of course, this wasn't the first time I had seem Hamming codes. A year ago I had taken a class about reliable computing (which was actually taught by the same professor as the one I have now for computer architecture). If you are interested in cryptography, then I recommend this article. There is even an application of Hamming codes for quantum computers. Here is a recent article about Raid.

Other stuff in the news:

They have been able to show that Sahelanthropus tchadensis does belongs to the human branch. This is one of those cool applications of computers onto other fields of science. (Hmmm...I wonder how you get jobs in that field).

NASA's been in the news a lot recently, it appears that now they have extended the Mars rover mission by 18 months.

Does 'Geek Speak' confuse you?

50% Chance this Blog is About Schrodinger's Cat

"It's a kind of a joke, really. His name, that is. Schrodinger's cat." - Carter (Stargate SG-1)

I have already pointed out in an early blog the Interactive Schrodinger's Cat, but there are other interesting links that I am sure you would learn a lot from. Why did I pick this topic? Because I remember the cool quote from Stargate SG-1. Besides, how else was I going to be able to mention it in my blog? Besides, it is pretty funny concept when you think about it. The cat is both dead and alive. You won't know until you look inside. The example is simple, but it represents a complex idea - qubits from quantum physics. You don't know if it spin-up or spin-down until you measure the qubit.

As promised other articles you might find interesting:
A "definition" of the Schrodinger's cat concept.

Here is a very simplifed version - if you are having trouble. However, guessing my audiance you probably don't need it.

Bio of Erwin Schrodinger. Here is another I recommend (shorter version).

On a lighter note, here is a comic called Schrodinger (and is about a cat).

On a completely un-related side note: I finally watched Finding Neverland. Excellent movie. Also, I have been listening to a couple of songs from the soundtrack that I downloaded from iTunes. The movie and the music are wonderful - soft yet strong. Hmm... I am going to have to drink more Diet Pepsi so I can get more caps and download more of the album.

Happy Easter! Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog.

Quantum Computing - A Brief Look in the Past

Alternate Title: "This Blog Entry is Both About History and Not About History - You Have to Read it To Find Out"

When did work start on quantum computing? Well, that is a difficult question to ask. It was a topic debated by all of the great classical physis - Einstein and Bohr. Einstein did not believe in quantum physics, Bohr did. They actually argued/discussed the topic many times at great length until Einstein's death in the 1950s.

Some believe that the first "real" work began in the 1960's when Richard Feynman proposes theories of quantumelectrodynamics. It wasn't until 1982 did Feynman actually came up with the idea of quantum computing - combining the world of quantum physics with that of computing. (In addition to the links above Centre for Quantum Computation (CQC) has some interesting information about the history as well.

Things really became interesting when around 1994 Peter Shor proposed what is now known as Shor's Algorithm. This algorithm runs in polynomial time and can be used for factoring large numbers on a quantum computer. (Hence, breaking traditional encryption algorithms). Which is why many believe that when quantum computing becomes a reality - the field of computers will change significantly.

Well, that is my extremely brief history - well, the parts I think are interesting and significant anyway. Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog!

Grover's Quantum Algorithm

Alternative Title: "Please keep all your q-bits inside the vechicle until the algorithm has come to a complete stop"

On Monday night (after a week of spring break) I returned to my architecture class. Each time I walk into that class I know I will walk out a different person. Maybe my q-bits are getting re-arranged or something (ok, a really bad joke - just forget about that). Monday's lecture - Lov Grover's Hi-Speed Quantum Algorithm used for searching in databases.

Quantum computing may be a thing of the future, but the applications are already here. We actually walked through a simplified version of the algorithm in class. The important thing to remember is that you are calculating several things at a time (well, that is an over simplification that I find useful in grasping the material). To better understand Grover's algorithm I suggest this article for a nice overview of the topic. All steps in the algorithm (basically a bunch of phase shifts) are completely reversable (a requirement in quantum computing).

Related links you might find interesting:
"How fast can a quantum computer search?" by L. K. Grover
"Searching A Quantum Phone Book" by Gilles Brassard
Progress to quantum computer with artificial atoms
"Divide and conquer for quantum computers" by I. Peterson
Lov K. Grover's website

Two Quotes of Interest:
"God doesn't throw dice." - Albert Einstein
"Albert! Stop telling God what to do!" - Enrico Fermi

On a complete side note:
I was surprised to receive yet another comment :-) Totally cool!

To Anonymous: Thanks for the link. That looks quiet interesting (and it makes that quantum computing material seem straight forward). Unfortunately, I don't know how to say "holy crap in 10 dimensions?" ;-) But I couldn't agree with you more. I hope you find that summer physic's class to be interesting. I am sure you will learn a lot. Quantum computing seems to be the next "thing" in computers. Developments in the area has already produced usable and interesting side components.

Quantum Teleportation

Alternate Title: "Beam Me Up Scotty, Well Sort Of"

Wednesday night in class we discussed quantum teleportation. I know you think I am kidding, but I am not. It is an interest subject. They really have done quantum teleportation in a lab environment with one particle. For more information (and better information then I could ever try to explain) on quantum teleportation see the links below.

For background information on Quantum Teleportation from IBM.

About the lab experiement see this site.

Here is a recent article that mentions quantum teleportation.

Here is another.

Well, I hope you find the links interesting. I will be heading towards the land where they don't have internet access for a couple of days and figured I would update my blog before I left. As of Wednesday evening I am offically on spring break! Yippee. I am very exciting to finally be on break. Well, until next week...