kwilthew (3/13/2009)
My question is, if there is so much free space available within the database, is this not a good candidate for shrinking the database file to make it more manageable?
As a once-off operation with an index rebuild after, sure.
An unrelated comment: Backing up the files of a SQL database while it's active is not a good way to back the database up. It's pot luck if files copied in that manner are usable. Back the database up using SQL native backups (BACKUP DATABASE ...) and then copy that backup file to tape. Added bonus, the backup file won't back up empty space and hence will be smaller than the database files are.
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability