Random Chit Chat

[strollin]

I remember notching 720K 3.5" disks in order to use them as 1.44MB disks.

One of my earliest jobs was as a tech testing/repairing 8" floppy drives at Shugart Associates.

 

[Celery]

How does 720K x 2 = 1.44M?

(think binary)

 

[BikerEcho]

I am guessing you are referring to the fact that 1MB = 1024KB in computer math.
All has to do with the fact that there are 8 bits in 1 byte. That confuses us humans that uses a base 10 system.

 

[ChirunoScarlet]

The 1024 number and other such multiples of 2 would be mebibyte (MiB), gibibyte (GiB) etc. - it also explains why Windows sees a 1TB hard drive as 931GB because the hard drive makers put 1000GB not 1024GiB or something like that.

 

[Celery]

That magic number is the unformatted size of the drive. After formatting the number will be less.

 

[strollin]

Yeah, the 720K diskette I mentioned was actually 800K prior to formatting.

 

[ChirunoScarlet]

That magic number is the unformatted size of the drive. After formatting the number will be less.

Okay, now it makes sense. Thanks!

 

[Celery]

Since I returned the new phone I had some money to spend so I browsed around Walmart today and found:

X-files season 1-4 DVD set for $30, Night Gallery season 1 plus pilot movie DVD set for $15 and Sandisk 64G retractable thumb drive for $14.

I call it a good day.

 

[Smart_Guy]

You know how to enjoy your life. I'm jealous

 

[Wallaby Dan]

Okay, now it makes sense. Thanks!

I have a hard time seeing a 500gb turning into a 455gb drive after format and system install....