ie8 fix

General Mac software discussions forum: How To Display REAL File Sizes?

by: Sophya February 27, 2010 12:58 PM PST

Like this

0 people like this thread

Staff pick

How To Display REAL File Sizes?

by Sophya - 2/27/10 12:58 PM

Hello. I work a lot with video, DVD's, etc. This work relies heavily upon the long-time, established standard when it comes to file sizes; that is, that noble of all numbers, 1024.

Sadly, it appears that some computer makers, hard drive manufacturers, and even some ISP's, no longer have respect for the decades-old standard of 1024, upon which the computer industry was built. Thus, to earn a higher profit, and to pretend to offer more than they really are, they have chosen to use 1000, instead of 1024, as their unit of measurement. It makes Internet speeds appear faster than they really are; it makes hard drives seem bigger than they really are; etc. To me, it is plain old greed and deception.

For someone involved with video, where accurate measurements are required, this modern usage of 1000 presents a problem.

Thus, I am looking for a program which will allow me to display REAL file sizes in the Finder -- which relies upon 1024k/Kb, 1024Kb/Mb, 1024Mb/Gb, etc. -- rather than the more modern approach of 1000 units/whatever.

I was hoping that a program like MacPilot, or a similar app, might possess this tweaking feature, but I have been unable to find one to date.

The only thing that I can do for now is to use a program like MediaInfo, which is a halfway point, because I actually want ALL of my files on my hard drives to display the file size based upon 1024, and NOT upon 1000.

Can anyone else?

Thanks!


Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

File sizes

by mrmacfixit Moderator - 2/27/10 1:12 PM

In Reply to: How To Display REAL File Sizes? by Sophya

are reported by OS X, up until Snow Leopard, using the 1024 method (Binary).

Apple changed the procedure with the launch of SL and this brought Apple in line with the drive manufacturers and other OS producers.

The Drive makers have been using 1000 (Decimal) as their measure for a considerable number of years, it's not new.

The drives are exactly the same size as they were before, just measure in a different way.

Check this site out http://mac.softpedia.com/get/Utilities/WhatSize.shtml it may work for you


P


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

SwitchDiskSizeBase App

by Sophya - 2/27/10 3:51 PM

In Reply to: File sizes by mrmacfixit Moderator

Hello MrMacFixIt,

Thanks for your response.

Actually, I am familiar with WhatSize, but it is not what I am looking for. I also looked at another free alternative called GrandPerspective 1.3.0, but it isn't what I was looking for either.

However, someone on the MacOSXHints.com messageboard pointed me to another thread, and a program called "SwitchDiskSizeBase" which switches the Finder, Disk Utility, etc., back to base 2, so that file and folder sizes are displayed, based on 1024, and not on 1000.

If anyone is interested in downloading the program, you will find it here:

http://files.me.com/brkirch/72zto4

I am not the author of the program, so I make no guarantees concerning it. I am just passing along some useful information.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

SwitchDiskSizeBase App Not Working On SL iMac

by Sophya - 2/27/10 5:50 PM

In Reply to: SwitchDiskSizeBase App by Sophya

DRATS! I just tried using "switchDiskSizeBase Build 3" on a 27" 2.8 GHz Quad Core iMac running 10.6.2.

When I run the sudo command in the Terminal, I get the following error message:

"Cannot patch Foundation framework; either it is not a supported version or it is corrupted"

Does this mean that Apple is on to the developer's tricks and does not like it, or does he just need to update his app? I just wrote to him. Maybe he will answer.

BTW, the link I provided leads to a slightly older version of the program. For the latest version of the program, please go here instead:

http://web.me.com/brkirch/brkirchs_Software/switchDiskSizeBase/switchDiskSizeBase.html


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Probably the latter,

by mrmacfixit Moderator - 2/28/10 8:49 AM

In Reply to: SwitchDiskSizeBase App Not Working On SL iMac by Sophya

he needs to update his app

Thanks for the info


P


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Still Waiting To Hear From Dev

by Sophya - 2/28/10 10:29 AM

In Reply to: Probably the latter, by mrmacfixit Moderator

You're welcome.

I am still waiting to hear from the developer of switchDiskSizeBase. He hasn't responded to either my email, or to the comment that I made on his web page.

Hopefully, that is because he is working on an update to his app. Incidentally, my iMac was built about a month after he released Build 3 of his app.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Just Heard From Developer

by Sophya - 3/1/10 9:09 AM

In Reply to: Still Waiting To Hear From Dev by Sophya

Hello Again,

I just wanted to update everyone.

I just heard from the developer of switchDiskSizeBase. He informed me that he needed a copy of the "Foundation.framework" folder in order to determine where the problem lies. He believes that it should be an easy problem to fix. I just sent the framework to him.

I'll let everyone know the results.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

switchDiskSizeBase Build 4 Now Available For New iMacs

by Sophya - 3/1/10 6:51 PM

In Reply to: How To Display REAL File Sizes? by Sophya

Hi folks,

switchDiskSizeBase Build 4 is now available, and it enables late 2009 iMacs -- and I assume early 2010 iMacs -- to use base 2 (binary) instead of base 10 (decimal).

Below is the link to the download page:

http://web.me.com/brkirch/brkirchs_Software/switchDiskSizeBase/Entries/2010/3/1_switchDiskSizeBase_build_4.html

I have confirmed that it works on my 27" iMac.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

(NT) Good Job!

by mrmacfixit Moderator - 3/2/10 5:03 AM

In Reply to: switchDiskSizeBase Build 4 Now Available For New iMacs by Sophya


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Thank The Developer

by Sophya - 3/2/10 1:43 PM

In Reply to: (NT) Good Job! by mrmacfixit Moderator

Hi Guys...And Gals,

If you own one of the aforementioned iMacs which requires switchDiskSizeBase Build 4, I encourage you to visit the developer's page at the above URL and leave a thank-you comment on the page. Not only will it show our appreciation for his quick work, but it will encourage him to continue updating the app as new releases of Mac OSX are made.

Thanks!

Just another happy user of the app. happy


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

More Discussions

Forum Icon Legend

  • UnreadUnread
  • ReadRead
  • Locked threadLocked thread
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  • ModeratorModerator
  • CNET StaffCNET Staff
  • Samsung StaffSamsung Staff
  • Norton Authorized Support TeamNorton Authorized Support Team
  • AVG StaffAVG Staff
  • avast! Staffavast! Staff
  • Webroot Support TeamWebroot Support Team
  • Acer Customer Experience TeamAcer Customer Experience Team
  • Windows Outreach TeamWindows Outreach Team
  • Dell StaffDell Staff
  • Intel StaffIntel Staff
  • QuestionQuestion
  • Resolved questionResolved question
  • General discussionGeneral discussion
  • TipTip
  • Alert or warningAlert or warning
  • PraisePraise
  • RantRant
  • IdeaIdea
  •   

You are e-mailing the following post: Post Subject

Your e-mail address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the e-mail and in case of transmission error. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose.

Sorry, there was a problem emailing this post. Please try again.

Submit Email Cancel

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

You are reporting the following post: Post Subject

If you believe this post is offensive or violates the CNET Forums' Usage policies, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the post). Once reported, our moderators will be notified and the post will be reviewed.

Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language

Spam: Advertisements or commercial links

Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users

Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Submit Report Cancel

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

You are posting a reply to: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Duplicate posts are not allowed in the forums. Please edit your post and submit again.

Submit Reply Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close
  • Recently Viewed Products
  • My Lists
  • My Software Updates
  • Promo
  • Log In | Join CNET