from
Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)
signal-to-noise ratio
n.
[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}.
from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
signal-to-noise ratio
SNR
S/N ratio
1. <communications> (SNR, "s/n ratio", "s:n ratio") "Signal"
refers to useful information conveyed by some communications
medium, and "noise" to anything else on that medium. The
ratio of these is usually expressed logarithmically, in
{decibels}.
2. <networking> The term is often applied to {Usenet}
newsgroups though figures are never given. Here it is quite
common to have more noise (inappropriate postings which
contribute nothing) than signal (relevant, useful or
interesting postings). The signal gets {lost in the noise}
when it becomes too much effort to try to find interesting
articles among all the crud. Posting "noise" is probably the
worst breach of {netiquette} and is a waste of {bandwidth}.
[{Jargon File}]
(1996-01-29)