On the difference between b and B (erroneous error message)

Dear all,

using the W3C validator's MobileOK Checker, I encountered the following
small mistake in one of the error messages:

"The size of the document's markup (13.1KB) exceeds 10 kilobytes    PAGE
SIZE LIMIT
Why?
Mobile devices have limited screens. Long pages on small screens are
confusing, because users can't see the big picture and feel lost. Some
mobile devices with limited memory still can't handle pages that are
more than a few Kb but, in essence, the 10Kb limit was set for usability
reasons. Some screens may be big enough to display pages with more
content. The 10Kb limit ensures that the page is still usable on devices
with small screens."

- As I'm sure you are all aware, computers count in bits (symbol: b)
representing either a zero (low) or a one (high) state.
- 8 of those bits, together, make up a byte (symbol: B).
- Both b and B can be prefixed with the usual Greek prefixes like kilo,
mega, giga, tera et cetera to signify a multiplication by one or several
orders of magnitude.

In aforementioned error message, the first mentioning of KB is right,
however, the latter three mentionings are now actually referring to a
size eight times smaller than was intended.

I am aware that this mistake has become so common (especially in
advertising by ISPs, that have become very misleading because of this)
that it might be considered very minor, but what the W3 Consortium says
on doing things right, carries a lot of weight! Let's not add to the
confusion any more. :) (Technically speaking, isn't there also a
difference in meaning between "any more" and "anymore"? XD)

Regards,
Lennart Goosens.

Received on Saturday, 25 May 2013 18:07:41 UTC