On Tuesday, 08.04.2003 at 10:49 -0400, Bort, Paul wrote:

> SQL database dumps can compress as much as 4:1 or 5:1. My Linux log
> files get about 2:1, IIRC. A 'normal' mix of data and programs around
> here compresses at about 1.6:1.
> 
> 2.6:1 is outrageous as a general claim. I always thought the 'industry
> standard' 2:1 claim was bogus too. 

_Any_ claim of a particular compression rate of X to 1 is bogus, if X is
greater than 1, since the data _you_ happen to be backing up may not be
compressible at all.

Unless, or until, there is a standard set of data against which _all_
vendors' claims are based, the claimed compression rates they throw
around may as well be ignored.

Dave.
-- 
Dave Ewart
Dave.Ewart AT cancer.org DOT uk
Computing Manager, Epidemiology Unit, Oxford
Cancer Research UK
PGP: CC70 1883 BD92 E665 B840 118B 6E94 2CFD 694D E370