Since 1968 I was taught B = byte and b = bit.

The confusion with kb = 1024 bits comes from the digital world using binary arithmetic: 1000000000 binary = 2^10 decimal = 1024 decimal.

Since 1968 I was taught B = byte and b = bit.

The confusion with kb = 1024 bits comes from the digital world using binary arithmetic: 10000000000 binary = 2^10 decimal = 1024 decimal.

1000 decimal = 1111101000 binary. I don't know about you but I prefer the standard cludge.