Ubuntu Desktop Unit Consistency (LP: #369525)

[Christopher Chan]

Benjamin,

Benjamin Drung wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I hope this mailing list is the right place to discuss the problem.
>   
No, I now feel old because of your post.

> There is currently an inconsistency with units across the Ubuntu
> desktop. Some applications (such as gvfs) use legacy units, such as a
> 1024-byte kilobyte. Others (such as System Monitor) use international
> standard units, such as a 1000-byte kilobyte. Ubuntu should decide its
> units philosophy and apply it consistently across the desktop.
>
> Details:
> https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+spec/desktop-unit-consistency/
>   
[looks up links]

> Ubuntu should use following convention:
>
> k- = 1,000, M- = 1,000,000, ...
> Ki- = 1,024, Mi- = 1,048,576, ...
>
> Here are some pro arguments:
>
> * The users want it. Look at brainstorm:
> http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/4114/
> http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/17839/
>
> * The Linux kernel uses it (man units).
>
> * It is standardised.
>
> * It would avoid ambiguity and consumer confusion:
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_prefix#Consumer_confusion
>   


Yeah, yeah. I guess I now know how an old dog feels. /me goes off to 
practice saying: kibibyte, megibyte, gibibyte, tebibyte. /me swats the 
first bee he sees. /me uses a GNOME as a decoy for the angry bees coming 
after him. /me gets a stiff jaw.