[fitsbits] 64-bit integer comments

[Thierry Forveille]

Mike Nolan writes:
 > I guess that my point is that if you wait for the need, it will come
 > and go before you can use it. If the solution is clear and much of the
 > software implements it anyway, it's time to do it; particularly when
 > there are a few decisions to make (e.g. signed or not) that can be
 > worked around either way, but not if half choose one and half the
 > other.
 >
It looks like we are reaching a philosophical disagreement on whether
64-bit integers should be called overengineering or good planning for
the future. We understand each other's point I think, but just don't
give them identical weights. Part of that might be people who use
FITS as their internal format versus those who use for transport 
only. 

I don't see how we are going to bridge that difference (unless someone
comes up with the killer application that does need I*8), so that particular
issue might have to be resolved by vote rather than consensus.