signal-to-noise ratio

[from analog electronics] Used by hackers in a generalization of its technical meaning. `Signal' refers to useful information conveyed by some communications medium, and `noise' to anything else on that medium. Hence a low ratio implies that it is not worth paying attention to the medium in question. Figures for such metaphorical ratios are never given. The term is most often applied to {Usenet} newsgroups during {flame war}s. Compare {bandwidth}. See also {coefficient of X}, {lost in the noise}.

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