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davidog.pngDave Bacon is a theoretical ski bum who is also a pseudo professor. His research is on quantum computing, his scientific passions extend to everything in physics, mathematics, computer science and beyond, and his personal pleasures include making wine, playing poker, skiing, camping, and daydreaming (although not all of those at the same time.) Nothing he says on this blog should be construed as having anything to do with his employer or his dog.


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The World Market is Five Quantum Computers

Category: Computer ScienceTechnology
Posted on: March 25, 2008 3:10 PM, by Dave Bacon

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From the bits blog at the New York Times, a list of technology famous quotes which may or may not have been said. Two of which I believe I've used before (doh!):

"640K ought to be enough for anybody." This quotation is attributed to Bill Gates, but Mr. Shapiro suspects that it is apocryphal, and is seeking the person who either said it or first attributed it to Mr. Gates.
...
"I think there is a world market for about five computers." This is a attributed to Thomas J. Watson, Jr., but Mr. Shapiro suspects it of being apocryphal and is seeking the person who either said it or first attributed it to Mr. Watson.

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Comments

1

It wouldn't surprise me if the "5 computers" remark was traced back to Rear Adm. Grace Hopper. She had a lot of animosity towards Thomas Watson. (By the way, I believe it is Watson Sr. who is credited with that remark as Jr. was the one who pushed for computer development in the face of his father's opposition.)

Posted by: JohnQPublic | March 25, 2008 5:12 PM

2

From what I heard (anecdotal) someone at IBM made the comment.

Posted by: Who Cares | March 26, 2008 6:02 AM

3

Hmm it seems I lost 1/2 the comment.
That was about the "640 Kb is enough for everyone"-quote

Posted by: Who Cares | March 26, 2008 6:03 AM

4

Real programmers don't need more than 640K. ;-)

Posted by: JohnQPublic | March 26, 2008 10:25 AM

5

Wasn't the 640k comment due to Bill Gates? Now I'm confused. What were we talking about again? Oh, right, that quote about *real* computers. OK, nevermind. I think I need to give up and go home now.

Posted by: Ian Durham | March 26, 2008 4:00 PM

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