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"Traditionally", memory/storage uses kilo=1024, etc, and data transmission uses kilo=1000. So 32kB RAM means 32,768 bytes and 32 kbps means 32,000 bits per second.

Then at some point hard disk manufacturers decided to change and to use SI prefixes as well. Iirc that was when off-the-shelf HDDs reached GB scale.

This all lead to the creation of kibibytes, etc. which I think is clear and solves the confusion created by effectively using SI prefixes incorrectly.



Agree the kibi- mebi- etc is more clear and resolves a lot of the confusion. Better yet would be to drop the base 2 measures entirely.




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