Proposal: Disable compression of newsyslog by default

From: Xin Li <delphij_at_delphij.net>
Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2023 07:18:23 UTC
Hi,

Inspired by D42961, I propose that we move forward with disabling the 
compression by default in newsyslog, as implemented in 
https://reviews.freebsd.org/D43169

Historically, newsyslog has compressed rotated log files to save disk 
space. This approach was valuable in the early days where storage space 
was limited.  However, the landscape has changed significantly.  Modern 
file systems, such as ZFS, now offer native compression capabilities. 
Additionally, the widespread availability of larger hard drives has 
diminished the necessity for additional compression.  Notably, the need 
to decompress log files for pattern searches poses a significant 
inconvenience, further questioning the utility of this legacy feature.

In commit 906748d208d3, flags J, X, Y, Z can now indicate that a log 
file is eligible for compression rather than directly enforcing it. It 
allows for a more flexible approach, wherein the actual compression 
method can be set to "none" or specified as one among bzip2, gzip, xz, 
or zstd.

Therefore I would propose that we change the default compression setting 
to "none" in FreeBSD 15.0.  This change reflects our adaptation to the 
evolving technological environment and user needs.  It also aligns with 
the broader initiative to modernize our systems while maintaining 
flexibility and efficiency.

I look forward to your thoughts and feedback on this proposal.

Cheers,