[iaufwg] approval of the 'FOREIGN' extension convention

[William Pence]

Mark Calabretta wrote:
> I thought the idea was that the documentation was to be checked for
> correctness and completeness.  But now you appear to be saying that
> deficiencies are not worth rectifying.  So what is the point of putting
> these documents up for discussion?

Since the FITS Registry depends on voluntary contributions, I think we 
sometimes just have to accept the best documentation that people are 
willing to provide, even if it has deficiencies.  If a new project 
decides to adopt this old FOREIGN convention for new data, then perhaps 
they can be persuaded to provide an updated document that clarifies some 
of the issues that have been raised.  Otherwise, there is not much point 
in debating the fine points of a convention if it not going to be used.

Eric Greisen made a good suggestion to me off line that we provide a 
mechanism for adding comments or queries about a convention in the 
Registry.  Future users of the convention could also add more comments 
about how they have interpreted the convention should be used.   A 
simple way to do this is to just add an HTML link to a page titled 
"Further comments about the convention".  In the case of the FOREIGN 
convention, this page could contain a copy of all the IAUFWG email 
discussions about the convention.

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