Re: Configure.help editorial policy

Eric S. Raymond
2001-12-20T20:36:23Z

Reid Hekman <reid.hekman@ndsu.nodak.edu>:
> Perhaps if we could be so bold as to back Donald Knuth's KKB,MMB,GGB
> proposal (of which I learned here:
> http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Large-Disk-HOWTO-3.html ).

Hm. Attractive, but it doesn't have an ISO standard behind it.

> Whatever we do with the abbreviations, I would strongly recommend we
> spell out documention to help educate ( and ease the transition if we
> switch terms) wherever possible. For example:
>
> 4 binary kilobyte pages
> 1024 decimal kilobyte disk
> 8.4 decimal gigabyte disks
> 4 binary gigabytes of memory
> 10 decimal gigabits of bandwith
>
> or if that offends the sensibilities:
>
> 4 kilobytes (binary)
> 1024 kilobytes (decimal)
> 8.4 gigabytes (decimal)
>
> I know that they are long on keystrokes, but in lieu of an accepted and
> aesthetically pleasing standard, they are clear and unambiguous.

Good idea. I will make appropriate changes.
--
Eric S. Raymond

Government should be weak, amateurish and ridiculous. At present, it
fulfills only a third of the role. -- Edward Abbey