def __init__(self, backup_dir, output_file, compression='none', verbose=False, binary="tar"):
        super(TarThread, self).__init__(self.__class__.__name__, compression)
        self.compression_method = compression
        self.backup_dir         = backup_dir
        self.output_file        = output_file
        self.verbose            = verbose
        self.binary             = binary

        self._command = None