Re: [gnome-network]Binary units
- From: William Jon McCann <mccannwj pha jhu edu>
- To: Patrick Costello Sun COM
- Cc: Mark McLoughlin <mark skynet ie>, gnome-network-list gnome org, gnome-doc-list gnome org
- Subject: Re: [gnome-network]Binary units
- Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2003 01:33:54 -0500
Patrick Costello wrote:
I admit that there is confusion about the meaning of K, M and G as binary
multipliers. However, I have seen no evidence that the SI-proposed Ki, Mi
and Gi have gained universal acceptance, or even common currency. On the
contrary, five years after the SI proposal was published, the common
industry usage is still to use K, M, G as binary multipliers. The
SI-proposed binary multipliers are probably in the process of becoming
established within the scientific and academic worlds. More than likely,
after a certain incubation period, the SI multipliers will be absorbed into
general use. Right now, though, I think that we would be in danger of
confusing end-users even more, rather than clearing up the confusion, if we
switched to the SI-proposed multipliers.
Pat
I think that seems reasonable. On the other hand, maybe most people
won't even notice the difference between "367 MiB" and "367 MB" in context.
I haven't seen much of this in common usage either. Maybe we should
lead the charge? I'm only half kidding. The linux kernel apparently
made the switch <http://kerneltrap.org/node/view/340> a few years ago.
Of course, that is much less visible. It just seems that following the
standards is part of our culture.
Just by coincidence, I just noticed the definition for the first
asterisk on this page:
<http://www.digitalnetworksna.com/shop/_templates/item_main_Rio.asp?model=220&cat=35>
I guess in the meantime we should change gnome-netinfo to use
"B,KB,MB,GB,...". Sound OK, German?
Jon
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