[fitsbits] 64-bit integers

[William Pence]

Given the past controversies about adding 64-bit integer support to FITS, it 
is somewhat remarkable that there has been so little discussion of this now. 
   Should this silence be interpreted to mean that everyone here is in favor 
of starting the official approval process on this proposal?  If so, then the 
formal 30-day public comment period could start soon.

Bill Pence


William Pence wrote:
> A page has been added to the FITS Support Office web site to collect and 
> summarize various information about the proposal to add 64-bit integer 
> support to FITS.  The URL is
> 
>         http://fits.gsfc.nasa.gov/fits_64bit.html
> 
> It contains:
> 
>  - a description of the proposal, including a detailed mark-up of
>    all the sections in the FITS Standard that would need to be
>    modified if it were officially approved by the FITS committees
> 
>  - a brief history of the proposal
> 
>  - a sample FITS file containing 64-bit integer values
> 
>  - a list of software packages that already support all or part
>    of the proposal
> 
> Please let me know of any suggestions for improving this web page.
> 
> I encourage anyone who has an interest in this issue of adding 64-bit 
> integer support to FITS to post your comments here on FITSBIT (or the 
> mirrored sci.astro.fits newsgroup).  This will enable the IAU FITS 
> Working Group to gauge whether the proposal now has enough general 
> support within the FITS user community to justify beginning the official 
> review and approval process that is needed to make this proposal part of 
> the FITS Standard.
> 
> 
> Bill Pence


-- 
____________________________________________________________________
Dr. William Pence                          William.D.Pence at nasa.gov
NASA/GSFC Code 662         HEASARC         +1-301-286-4599 (voice)
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