images in container field - file size q

I've set up a database in our solution to record magazine titles, and we've been putting low-res cover scans (30kb at most) into container fields and serving these images using the web companion.

I'm worried about the size of the database though. There's about 150 records with these images but the database file is about 8MB in size already.

We'll be looking to probably treble that record number.

1) I was wondering if there was anyway to get the db size down?

I really want the graphics to be stored in there - I don't really want it to be storing a link to the graphics.

2) I think the option 'store compatible graphics' is ticked in properties - does that bump up the database size?

All the images are in gif or jpg format which are Mac compatible formats so is there any need to have this ticked?

3) For image catalog dbs what's the maximum size I should be looking at using filemaker server over a 10-user network?

4) The 'save a reference to image' option - if I select that will the image still get pulled through the web companion?

5) Will that link be accessible from both mac and PC copies of filemaker?

Thanks