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Boffin claims Microsoft’s “quantum leap” is invalid due to “basic Python errors”

theregister.com

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Re: Boffin claims Microsoft’s “quantum leap” is invalid due to “basic Python errors”

#41

Post by swiftcoder »

frollogaston wrote: post #3

Was pleasantly surprised to see the exact bug in here, in a "The Register" article of all places. Legg showed that fixing the bug invalidates the research. Seems Microsoft is responding to a clear problem with a vague dismissal. Edit: Oh, The Register is a true tech paper, guess the name makes sense for that. Got mixed up cause there are a bunch of general papers called something Register.

Yeah, it's always weird that they write and format the articles like the absolute worst tier of new sites, and then the articles themselves are oftenn very technical

Re: Boffin claims Microsoft’s “quantum leap” is invalid due to “basic Python errors”

#43

Post by redsocksfan45 »

frankohn wrote: post #40

I guess Microsoft upper management doesn't understand anything at all about quantum computing and they are "scammed" by Microsoft research people in quantum computing telling them they are making breakthroughts, that in a few years that can become a real thing, etc. They just need to publish some impressive sounding papers a little bit once in a while and the thing keeps rolling. May be it is just me but when I see a…

[dead]

Re: Boffin claims Microsoft’s “quantum leap” is invalid due to “basic Python errors”

#45

Post by mellosouls »

gadders wrote: post #2

Love the word "boffin". I think we should use "pundit" more often as well.

TheRegister - like, say Viz - likes its lazy, outdated journalistic stereotypes and tropes.

That's not being critical of them; its their humour, they mimic the crassness and condescension of tabloid journalism, particularly that of the 70s and 80s (even tabloids have moved on).

When you see cliches like boffin, nanny state, egghead etc etc in a HN title, you can be reasonably confident its El Reg.

Re: Boffin claims Microsoft’s “quantum leap” is invalid due to “basic Python errors”

#46

Post by KineticLensman »

cpncrunch wrote: post #13
happytoexplain wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was surprised to see it - I thought "boffin" was good-natured but highly irreverent, like "nerd". But I can't imagine any publication writing the headline, "Computer nerd claims Microsoft's supposed quantum leap does not compute."

It's typical of the Register. They always use the word "boffin" for expert/scientist. It's a british word used to describe a clever person.

Used in WW2 to refer to radar engineers, bouncing bomb designers etc

Re: Boffin claims Microsoft’s “quantum leap” is invalid due to “basic Python errors”

#47

Post by slipperybeluga »

swiftcoder wrote: post #41
frollogaston wrote: post #3

Was pleasantly surprised to see the exact bug in here, in a "The Register" article of all places. Legg showed that fixing the bug invalidates the research. Seems Microsoft is responding to a clear problem with a vague dismissal. Edit: Oh, The Register is a true tech paper, guess the name makes sense for that. Got mixed up cause there are a bunch of general papers called something Register.

Yeah, it's always weird that they write and format the articles like the absolute worst tier of new sites, and then the articles themselves are oftenn very technical

[dead]

Re: Boffin claims Microsoft’s “quantum leap” is invalid due to “basic Python errors”

#48

Post by deflator »

Isamu wrote: post #31

When I see “boffin” in a title I think “The Register” so kudos I guess.

I think boffin is a Britishism. I have heard it other places, not just on El Reg. Specifically: a lot on Top Gear when it was hosted by Clarkson.

Re: Boffin claims Microsoft’s “quantum leap” is invalid due to “basic Python errors”

#49

Post by womble2 »

deflator wrote: post #48
Isamu wrote: post #31

When I see “boffin” in a title I think “The Register” so kudos I guess.

I think boffin is a Britishism. I have heard it other places, not just on El Reg. Specifically: a lot on Top Gear when it was hosted by Clarkson.

It is British, but actually using it dates you as still being stuck in the 90s (at the latest)
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