I know about 1 KB = 1024 bytes, sometimes. I'm a computer nerd, grew up playing on computers and hacking on them, and I'm a programmer now.
But, if someone asks me for a good explanation why 1 KB != 1000 bytes, I don't have a good answer. I know about powers of 2, but why are powers of 2 more important than "kilo" meaning 1000 like it does in every other context?
It's like if a kilometer wasn't 1000 meters, because of the way car odometers worked, or the shape of the tires or something. Why would technical details about a car change the meaning of "kilometer"?
But, if someone asks me for a good explanation why 1 KB != 1000 bytes, I don't have a good answer. I know about powers of 2, but why are powers of 2 more important than "kilo" meaning 1000 like it does in every other context?
It's like if a kilometer wasn't 1000 meters, because of the way car odometers worked, or the shape of the tires or something. Why would technical details about a car change the meaning of "kilometer"?