K3b sees 4.7GB DVD+R as 4.4 GB

[Jeff Vian]

On Mon, 2006-01-16 at 15:30 +1030, Tim wrote:
> On Sun, 2006-01-15 at 09:18 -0500, Gregory Pittman wrote:
> 
> > But MB, KB, GB are not SI units. I think they're more like the words 
> > millipede and centipede, which defy any strict mathematical meaning.
> 
> Nonsense!  M, K, G, etc., *are* SI.  They were paired up with bits and
> bytes to try and express the same sort of thing (millions, thousands,
> etc., of them).
> 
> Oh, I see.  You want to argue that 10kB, or ten kilo bytes, are some
> other strange use of the same word with a different meaning...  It only
> happens to use the same abbreviations and words, but they're not the
> same thing...  Yeah, right...  So the re-use of all of them (kilo, mega,
> giga, tera, etc.), in different ways, is all entirely coincidental?
> 
> Sheesh, this is desperation at the extreme trying to claim that the
> computer fraternity isn't doing something stupid.
> 
So you still claim the actual reason those same terms are used in
different contexts is stupid?
Kilo, Mega, etc were chosen for use to represent the binary value
closest to the same decimal values.

I think you should argue with the standards community from several
decades ago instead of ranting at those of us who understand why and use
the values appropriately.  A kilobyte packet contains 1024 bytes.  A
kilogram contains 1000 grams. That is as close as can be gotten to the
same quantities when using different mathematical systems (binary vs
decimal).  

Are you also saying the the English pound (a monetary value) should not
ever be used since there is another English pound (a weight value)?? and
use of that term can be confusing?  Different _context_ means the same
term can be used more than one way (and has been for many hundreds or
even thousands of years).

Those of us used to using the English measuring system vs the "new"
metric measuring system (many millions throughout the world) also have
similar complaints. (kilograms vs pounds, inches vs centimeters, etc.)
But we are not nearly as vocal as you are on it.

If you do not understand the differences in the mathematical numbering
systems, then educate yourself.  If you do, then quit complaining. This
rant seems based on an inability to understand usage of similar terms in
different contexts, _and_ is way outside the norm for this list.  It
should be ended here.