"Quantum computing" is one of the buzzwords of our time. Quantum computers are supposed to be great and expected to vastly outperform today's best supercomputers. But what are they really, and why is it taking us so long to make one?

Starting with a discussion of what quantum computing can (and cannot) achieve, this talk will introduce you to one of the most successful hardware architectures for quantum computing: superconducting circuits. These circuits only consist of a few simple elements such as capacitors and inductors. Yet, they are immensely popular and are used in labs worldwide in the race towards a full-scale quantum computer. You will see that the simplest and most widely used superconducting qubit, called "transmon", is actually not so different from an ordinary LC oscillator. In the final portion of the talk, I will sketch some of our current work on developing the next generation of qubits featuring intrinsic error protection. Last but not least, I will illustrate how you can use free online resources to play with superconducting qubits yourself – it has never been easier!