In Loving Memory of the 2nd IBMQ Tutorials
Thanks to Jack Krupansky for suggesting this review.
I have historically published reviews only if I’ve been able to identify more “The Good” than “The Bad” and “The Ugly.” That won’t be the case here, but an in-progress LinkedIn poll is showing that honest assessments are in demand, even if the conclusions end up being negative. So, here goes….
I am also going to vary from tradition and start with a memorial to the 2nd IBMQ tutorials. It is my understanding that I never saw the 1st set of tutorials, and that I personally began my quantum adventure with the 2nd set of tutorials. This 2nd set of tutorials would later be replaced with the 1st Qiskit textbook.
For those who don’t know, by the way, IBM Quantum was originally IBMQ.
The 2nd set of tutorials, written by Dr. Wootton, et al., were so well written that an ice cream chef with a political science degree could follow them. And while I’m sure I’ve mentioned the 1st textbook in the past, I’ve consistently said the 2nd tutorials were better. I have privately messaged countless IBMers that the 2nd tutorials should be brought back. I don’t believe I’ve ever said anything nice about the 2nd textbook, and I’ve definitely never said anything nice about the content presented in various Qiskit challenges and schools and so forth.
To the 2nd IBMQ tutorials, may you rest in peace.
Now on to IBM Quantum Learning….
The Good
Modules. I guess have to put this under “The Good,” since I’m fairly certain I put this under “The Good” for Black Opal. Imitation, as they say, is the sincerest form of flattery.
Maths. If you like to learn with equations and matrices, some of this might appeal to you. However, if you really, really like to learn with maths… I mean really, really, really like to learn with maths, then you should check out QuTech tutorials.
Portal. Like the 2nd tutorials, IBM Quantum Learning is inside the IBM Quantum portal and obvious upon login. The Qiskit textbook is hidden inside IBM Quantum Lab, but that’s never been obvious from the dashboard.
