interpreting memory usage

[R Kimber]

On Thu, 09 Jun 2005 09:59:19 +0300
"ZIYAD A. M. AL-BATLY" <zamb at saudi.net.sa> wrote:

> >             total       used       free     shared    buffers cached
> > Mem:2055816    1704252     351564          0 364044     248908
> >  -/+buffers/ cache:    1091300     964516
> > Swap:      2104464          0    2104464
> > 
> > i.e. 17.1% free.
> > 
> > How should this be interpreted?  It seems a big drop in "free"

> No.  Subtract the “used +/-buffers/cache” and you will get the real
> usage of your memory.  In the above, your real memory usage is
> (1704252
> - 1091300)  which is 612952 out of 2055816 (about 70% free).

> 
> I hope this answered you question.
> Ziyad.

Yes thanks.  Maybe there's a case for a version of free that has
clearer output for non-experts.  Or a more explanatory man page.

- Richard.
-- 
Richard Kimber
http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/