Quantum computing, artificial intelligence and Windows Phone 7

Stories of the month - October 2010

October's most-read articles had a scientific and futuristic feel, with stories on quantum mechanics, artificial intelligence and the future of work all proving popular with silicon.com's readers.

First up was a guide to quantum computing, which aimed to separate fact from science fiction and explained how quantum mechanical phenomena can enable large-scale parallel computing and secure communications.

Also on a sci-fi theme was a story about how artificial intelligence is helping the human race in its exploration of space, with Nasa and the European Space Agency both looking at how AI can be employed in satellites and robotic rover vehicles looking for life in other parts of the solar system.

Back to earth and silicon.com unpicked Microsoft's new mobile OS, Windows Phone 7. Launched last month, WP7 is a total reboot of Microsoft's mobile efforts and its latest attempt to take on the likes of Android and the iPhone.

There was also a spot of future gazing on silicon.com last month with a look at how managers will need to change how they deal with their staff to take account of changes brought on by increasing levels of remote working and the arrival of the millennial generation in the workplace.

Sticking with the world of work, the top IT HR violations were examined - along with how to avoid them.

With technology figuring ever larger on firms' HR radar, silicon.com decided to investigate how to use Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn effectively for recruitment.

Salesforce.com has now been around for more than a decade and has morphed from a software-as-a-service upstart to a major cloud computing player. silicon.com profiled the company find out what its current strategy is and what its future might hold.

Another company with an interest in cloud last month was Microsoft, which announced a hosted version of its Office software, known as Office 365. The suite has already launched in beta with the full subscription-based service available in 2011.

While the likes of Salesforce.com and Microsoft have been touting the potential of the cloud for years, many business are still reluctant to make the move to hosted software. silicon.com took a look at the barriers - in addition to the more familiar security and vendor lock-in concerns - that are making CIOs cautious about the technology.

And with cloud software likely to put greater strain on communications networks, BT is already rolling out superfast fibre broadband. In October, the telecoms provider announced the latest wave of exchanges that will receive fibre upgrades to allow them to support superfast broadband.