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I too learned that terminology at university almost 20 years ago. Haven't heard it used like that since. Yes, precise language would be useful for communication
by panzi 3y ago
I too learned that terminology at university almost 20 years ago. Haven't heard it used like that since. Yes, precise language would be useful for communication, but in this case it feels like a lost cause. Nobody uses these terms like that.
- nordsieck 3y ago> Nobody uses these terms like that. Yeah - it feels a bit like "Mebibyte". Sure, it's technically the correct name of a base-2 Megabyte. But people just use "Megabyte" and use context to figure out if people mean base-10 or base-2.
- f1shy 3y agoThe problem is that people writing norms are (typically) people without any contact with reality. In theory they are great. No place in practice. Best example iso stack vs. Tcp/ip
- kiitos 3y agoMebibyte is well defined. Error is not.
- Nevermark 3y agoBut as pointed out, “Megabyte” is not clearly defined in informal usage. Informally, it has two specific meanings, and a third useful fuzzy meaning when the distinction between 10^6 and 2^20 does not matter.
- samatman 3y agoMy unprincipled compromise is that I spell it MiB and pronounce it 'megabyte'. Spoken language is lousy with ambiguity already, I can't recall a time when I've ever had to clarify which I meant in conversation.