front-end growing too big for number of objects.

[NJS]

Good day all.
2 questions:
1. My 2003 (2000 format) front end grows approx 5Mb for every report I add
(45Mb with 5 simple reports, and only linked tables), yet it zips to 10% of
original size - any idea how to compact/repair effectively? (I have tried new
db and re-import all objects)
2. Saving forms and reports in this platform takes a long time(10 seconds),
and seems to be related to the back-end. (seems to be 2003 related)?

thanks in advance.