The Kilobyte reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Kilobyte

A kilobyte is 1024 bytes. Its correct abbreviation is kB but it is sometimes written K or k. The number 1024 was chosen because it is close to 1000 (the meaning of the SI prefix kilo), and is a power of two (2¹⁰). This is the definition used by computer programmers, computer scientists, and by computer programs.

Telecommunications engineers and storage manufacturers define the kilobyte as 1000 bytes, based on the SI prefix. This is also what most people (before exposure to computers) think a kilobyte is. This leads to some confusion when the novice purchases computer equipment, as the computer will report a smaller amount than the manufacturer stated.

The International Electrotechnical Commission has defined the kilobyte as 1000 bytes and call 1024 bytes a kibibyte (KiB) -- a term which very few have adopted. To distinguish between a decimal K (1,000) and a binary K (1,024), the IEEE suggests using a small k for a decimal kilo and a capital K for a binary kilo, although this convention is purely advisory.

See integral data type, megabyte, gigabyte.

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