Constraints of time mean I've been skimming thru' c'punx a bit lately, but I was wondering if anyone here has any views on the quantum crytanalysis thread that has been gracing sci.crypt of late. I haven't noticed it here but maybe I missed it (in which case - sorry guys). I first read about it in New Scientist (24 Sept 94) No 1944, p 21. the upshot being that if there is any mileage in the quantum computing idea, then it may lead to computers that can rapidly factorise primes (not good news for RSA). The main objections of skeptics are that noise/defects of manufacture make such quantum computers unfeasible. On the other hand, the New Scientist Article suggests that the technology for making a quantum computer may not be that far away. This may be just sensationalism, but even if its only a dim possibility in 25 years time its got to be worth a mention. Given the recent developments in materials science I don't think the possibility of manufacturing such things can be ruled out as some suggested on sci.crypt. The matter of being swamped by noise may be an insurmountable problem, and anyway is not something I am qualified to comment on. Any well informed people out there with any comments? Sherry