General Chat

I remember going on a course to learn to program the ZX81. If you want to look back with affection try http://www.old-computers(.)com Bob

yes, I think I convinced my parents that it would be educational, and they stumped up half the cash (the other half being funded by my paper round :o) but I just played games too. So it didn't help my career at all - even though I did end up in IT (one of lifes little coincidences).

I had a 48k Spectrum too, the one with the horrible rubber keyboard ? Didn't do much with it apart from play games though. Manic Miner anyone ?

Geoff, I believe that your tele screen used to go blank, while the zx, did a calculation? LOL happy days.... These days even a windows shortcut occupies 16k!...bob

OK look I hate to be pedantic but.... Yes it's easier to just multiply by 1000, but factually it's 1024. The following I found on google... Point one and 4 are correct, IBM and Microsoft are trying to simplify for the masses, but technically speaking they're wrong. 1) As a measure of computer processor storage and real and virtual memory, a megabyte (abbreviated MB) is 2 to the 20th power bytes, or 1,048,576 bytes in decimal notation. 2) According to the IBM Dictionary of Computing, when used to describe disk storage capacity and transmission rates, a megabyte is 1,000,000 bytes in decimal notation. 3) According to the Microsoft Press Computer Dictionary, a megabyte means either 1,000,000 bytes or 1,048,576 bytes. 4) According to Eric S. Raymond in The New Hacker's Dictionary, a megabyte is always 1,048,576 bytes on the argument that bytes should naturally be computed in powers of two.

Bob in Bretton My ZX81 had 1Kb!

Web Definition: megabyte - MB - 220 bytes = 1,048,576 bytes or 1,024 kilobytes. Used to measure computer memory. Sometimes used to mean 1 million bytes. www(dot)redhat(dot)com(dash)docs(dash)glossary

Sorry to contradict Paul, But 1kilobite = 1,000bites 1 megabite = 1,000,000 1 gigabite = 1,000,000,000 I know 1 kilo is 1024 and this is multiplied up but 0 are easier. Bob

With all this memory around, I am amazed at what was possible, with my old BBC. with only 16K of useable memory, and the 48K spectrum.........wow!!!!!!!.....Bob

Thanks for your help--wish I was as brainy Thanks Ann

A megabyte is 1000 Bytes (1024 actually), and a gigabyte is 1000 megabytes (1024). If you have a fairly new PC (less than 5 years old) 98mb shouldn't be a problem for you.

Dear Ann Yes, gigabytes are bigger than megabytes. Most computer systems today have a lot of storage space on the hard drive. My laptop for instance has 10 gigabytes of storage. It is nearly 2 years old, so more up to date computers have even more storage now. If you need 98 megabytes of free hard drive space, you should have no trouble at all.

98Mb is about one-tenth of a gigabyte.

This is a stupid question I know but I am a computer dinosaur. I am about to buy a Cd with 1891 census for North Yorks and South Durham on and it gives all the details screen resolution etc--and it say's 98MB of free hard drive required. Are Gigabytes bigger than Megabytes is my question? Ann,Darlington