"This paper presents implementations that match and, where possible, exceed current quantum factorisation records using a VIC-20 8-bit home computer from 1981, an abacus, and a dog.

We hope that this work will inspire future efforts to match any further quantum factorisation records, should they arise."

Note that this is three attempts to match current quantum computing records, not a single attempt utilizing all three tools.

(The IACR is a legit cryptology organization. Been around for years and years.)

https://eprint.iacr.org/2025/1237.pdf

(h/t @cstross )

so, #sysadmin sorts: chill your quantum computing worries

Quantum computing could solve problems impossible for today's supercomputers. The challenge for this new form of computing is processing the quantum bits (qubits) that represent data. A qubit can be made by controlling the orientation of an electron's spin at a defect site in diamond. To solve a problem, a quantum computer uses logic gates to couple multiple qubits and output new information. Scientists designed a new protocol that can be used to develop fast, robust logic gates for qubits. The simple gates reorient electron spin on defect sites in diamond. This new finding would allow faster and more efficient manipulation of the electron spins or qubits.