Re: Bad Metric ... 1k = 1024 or 1000?

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Paul Guertin writes ...
> 
> Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net> wrote:
> 
> > The user is not supposed to need to know
> > computer nuts & bolts in order to do research, write papers, create
> > graphics,... _or_ manage files.
> 
> But the Pure User, who knows nothing of the inner workings of a computer
> but uses one as a tool, has no reason to know the size of a file in bytes
> ("what's a 'byte'?").


     That a user may not know what a "byte" is or, even, that file size is in
bytes does not matter. He/she knows that "k" is 1000 and, whatever the stuff in
a file, there are numbers listed which tell how much is there and how much
space is left.



> If it's a word processor document, the OS should
> simply tell him how many words are in it, or how many pages. If it's a
> piece of music, just tell how long it is, either in the form "2 minutes
> and 30 seconds" or "132 4/4 bars". And so on for different formats.
 ....

     Seems reasonable. Word processors and music writes often have ways to
display the information you describe. Given file type information, an OS could
supply it, too.

     Still, there are plenty of times when plain old file size in bytes can be
useful information. Since OS's are pretty much stuck with showing file size,
they might as well get it right.




Rubywand