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signal-to-noise ratio [from analog electronics] n.
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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