tar or cpio, which is better?

[Joe Broniszewski]

Are there any advantages of using tar over cpio for doing backups?  We
have both available and I am trying to figure out which is the best to 
use.  Thanks for all info.
-- 
  Joe  Broniszewski          || Philadelphia Phillies  ||   (814) 234-8592x34
  astph!joe at psuvax1.psu.edu  ||   Systems Department   ||   psuvax1!astph!joe