Choose between binary prefixes and SI unit prefixes, and use them consistently

[Leo Arias]

On some places we use binary prefixes, like kibibits and gibibytes; and on some other places we use SI unit prefixes like kilobits and gigabits.

We should stick with just one of them for all the services and applications. I would prefer the binary prefixes.

For the bandwith limit on ubuntu we use kibibits, on windows kilobits.
For the storage information in the control panel we use Gibibytes, but on the website we use Gigabytes.

[Natalia Bidart (nataliabidart)]

Hi Leo!

Thanks a lot for helping us making Ubuntu One better. Is our intent in all the desktop apps to follow the https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UnitsPolicy, and we divide by 1024, so I will make this change in the desktop app.

[Natalia Bidart (nataliabidart)]

Diego, what we need to do in the window QT UI, is to change the "kilobits per second" legend for "KiB/s" just like the GTK control panel shows.

[Leo Arias (elopio)]

As mentioned by Matt on the duplicated bug report, "Whether it has a space between the amount and the unit of measurement or not (some use a space and some don't), it should always be consistent."

[Leo Arias (elopio)]

Just one detail. It should Kib/s, not KiB/s.

[Mihai Capotă (mihaic)]

In response to comment 4, the units policy states that the correct basis for network bandwidth and disk size is 10, not 2. Also, it gives an example for network bandwidth using bits, "6 Mbit/s", where "bit" is used as the symbol for bits, not "b", to avoid confusion with bytes.

[janusz (sunmake)]

Shortly- the biggest bug is 'Ubuntu Units Policy' itself. In past 3 years it wasn't apply in full properly in any distro. Also,up to today,still plenty of software do not apply this policy.And there is no sign for change.And most important- the standard for units use by OS's is still held by M$ (who got over 90% personal computers market)-not by any other body.If Ubuntu wants to keep standards- OK, but do it once and proper-without confusing users(mostly reverting from M$).