I can store 1024 terabytes on a DVD today, entirely in software, no innovative hardware based on new engineering principles necessary: dd if=/dev/zero bs=10

I can store 1024 terabytes on a DVD today, entirely in software, no innovative hardware based on new engineering principles necessary: dd if=/dev/zero bs=1024 count=1T | pv -c -W | gzip -c9 | pv -c -W > big.gz I'm pretty sure the resulting big.gz will fit on a DVD with plenty of room to spare. You may need to sudo apt-get install pv if you don't have that incredibly useful utility already. You may also need several hours of CPU time... EDiT: Downvoted within two minutes? HN needs to get a sense of humor...