Post
Topic
Board Bitcoin Discussion
Re: Which of these bitcoin units do you NOT want to use?
by
ab8989
on 27/10/2014, 10:29:37 UTC

The meaning of "k" is already understood by common people:

http://btc1k.com

The SI prefix "µ" (micro) in contrast, is a very nerdy, technical expression. It implies being something very small (as in "microscope"), and thus is subconsciously disliked by many people.

As a matter of fact, the human brain prefers to use multiples (like "k"), rather than fractions (like "µ").

I never used µBTC for precisely that reason, thus "keep using" is wrong wording anyway.

Occam's razor: "What is easier: Teaching the meaning of "µ" to common people, or using "k" instead, which is already understood by them?"

Maybe US is a place where people have not heard about SI prefixes for fractions. However where I come from the 'm' is in very common usage among ordinary people for small length measurements as in millimetres and small weight measurements as milligrams for example when buying medicine. I happen to look at a package of 600mg ibuprofen pills on my table.

The most unfortunate thing for 'µ' is that it cannot be easily be written with an ordinary keyboard and 'µ' is one that is not that well known.