There are 8 bits in a byte, so why do we talk about 56k modems instead of 7kb modems, and 8 megabit broadband connections instead of 1Mb?
2006-08-31 03:35:11 · 6 answers · asked by bonshui 6 in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet
Quite correct donnypsi - I didn't notice that ;-)
2006-08-31 04:03:58 · update #1
Your question is a bit confusing.
b = bit
B = byte
2006-08-31 03:46:21 · answer #1 · answered by IT Pro 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Historical reasons. Modems used to be measured in 'baud', which is another way of saying 'bit per second'. Since this practice was established when a typical data link (an expensive one!) was like 110 bits per second, it did not make sense to divide it by eight.
2006-08-31 03:54:56 · answer #2 · answered by poorcocoboiboi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's because the smallest way to store information is a bit, and when you transmit information, you can only do it by bits, because if you send a 0(off) or a 1(on) it can only represent bits, you can't represent an ASCII 'A' or any character with only sending a 0 or a 1.
2006-08-31 06:49:15 · answer #3 · answered by jccontreb 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we always use a standard representation and for data size and transfer bit is it. just as how gram is used bit is used , think about it.
2006-08-31 03:42:43 · answer #4 · answered by lepat_staar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it looks better I guess.
2006-08-31 03:38:25 · answer #5 · answered by Yoi_55 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
marketing>> haha i donno
2006-08-31 03:40:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋