Groovy

If entangled particles instantly effect their partners, (i.e. if one is observed spinning one way, the other will be spinning in the opposite direction), then would that mean theoretically that quantum computers could communicate over a distance without an internet connection?

I have heard so many times that subatomic particles are in no specific state until they are observed and about the double slit experiment. I have no doubt this is correct,but I don't understand 1- If it hasn't been observed yet, how would anyone know? And 2- What counts as an observer? A scientist who knows what they are looking for? A fly in the room that sees the experiment? A passing photon? Is it literally observation through sight apart from the other senses? How has this been proven if presumably any experiment would itself be an obervation?