From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 Return-Path: util-linux-owner@vger.kernel.org Received: from elasmtp-scoter.atl.sa.earthlink.net ([209.86.89.67]:35589 "EHLO elasmtp-scoter.atl.sa.earthlink.net" rhost-flags-OK-OK-OK-OK) by vger.kernel.org with ESMTP id S1755812AbaLHXAk (ORCPT ); Mon, 8 Dec 2014 18:00:40 -0500 Received: from [69.22.67.119] (helo=[192.168.0.11]) by elasmtp-scoter.atl.sa.earthlink.net with esmtpa (Exim 4.67) (envelope-from ) id 1Xy7Bd-0004CM-Gt for util-linux@vger.kernel.org; Mon, 08 Dec 2014 17:53:49 -0500 Message-ID: <54862BFC.8070402@earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 17:53:48 -0500 From: Felix Miata MIME-Version: 1.0 To: util-linux@vger.kernel.org Subject: Re: fdisk units size & disk manufacturers buying the standard References: <20141204130044.GH1994@x2.net.home> <548619AF.5070900@tlinx.org> In-Reply-To: <548619AF.5070900@tlinx.org> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Sender: util-linux-owner@vger.kernel.org List-ID: Linda Walsh composed on 2014-12-08 13:35 (UTC-0800): > ...A bit isn't a physical unit,... On a HD it has to be physical, a magnetically manipulated location on physical media, which happens to be used in groups of 8 termed a byte, without which the device couldn't do what it was designed to do. HD makers logically count these groups of 8 using the same numbers most mortals use for counting, decimals. > ...so their argument that physical prefixes should apply to > virtual base-2 quantities becomes even more nonsensical. > But SI overstepped their bounds, unless they want to define the 'bit' and the 'Byte' as > metric units and keep a representation of them in some clean room in Paris (or > the modern equivalent). Whether SI got the Bs & bs right I won't get into, but they did get logically correct exposing the hijacking of the centuries old decimal concepts represented by K, M, G, T, et al, and interjecting "i" to delineate a considerably less ambiguous powers of two counting system. -- "The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive." Proverbs 16:21 (New Living Translation) Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 ** a11y rocks! Felix Miata *** http://fm.no-ip.com/