Re: [gnome-network]Binary units

[William Jon McCann <mccannwj pha jhu edu>]

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