Ubuntu

Ubuntu Desktop Unit Consistency

Registered by Joel Parker

There is currently an inconsistency with units across the Ubuntu desktop. Some applications (such as gvfs) use legacy units, such as a 1024-byte kilobyte. Others (such as System Monitor) use international standard units, such as a 1000-byte kilobyte. Ubuntu should decide its units philosophy and apply it consistently across the desktop.

Blueprint information

Status:
Not started
Approver:
None
Priority:
Undefined
Drafter:
None
Direction:
Needs approval
Assignee:
None
Definition:
New
Series goal:
None
Implementation:
Unknown
Milestone target:
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We have now a policy: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UnitsPolicy

Brainstorm users favor the standards: http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/4114/ http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/17839/

Debian equivalent with list of standards-compliant programs: http://wiki.debian.org/ConsistentUnitPrefixes

Definitions: http://manpages.ubuntu.com/manpages/hardy/man7/units.html

Fixing subsystems like GVFS libraries would simultaneously fix lots of programs and make the desktop consistent.

Remember that the standards include two different methods, which are compatible with each other and are each more appropriate in certain contexts:

k- = 1,000, M- = 1,000,000, ... (disk sizes, file sizes, data rates, etc.)
Ki- = 1,024, Mi- = 1,048,576, ... (memory sizes)

(?)

Work Items

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