TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: TIEBREAKER NEEDED: What do you call this? From:"Brian S. Wilson" <Brian_S -dot- -dot- _Wilson -dot- ZIFF-DAVIS -at- MAIL -dot- ZD -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 21 Jul 1995 10:49:08 -0400
Perhaps "bit" is not a contraction (or abbreviation or whatever) for "binary
digit" at all. For the word "bit," my dictionary provides several definitions
for "bit." Many of these aptly describe a "binary digit," even though they came
into common use before electronic computers existed. For example, one
definition is "the smallest or an insignificant amount or degree." Certainly a
"bit" could be described as the smallest unit of computer memory or storage.
Another definition is "...1/8 of a dollar." Is it a coincidence that a bit is
1/8 of a byte? Perhaps not.
Then again, perhaps this line of thinking is just a _bit_ much.
