Roy says;
> We are asserting that there exists a context in which they are the
> same. Question: In what context is an R-magnitude and a B-magnitude
> the same thing? Answer: when you count photons without regard to
> their wavelength.
Photon counting and the logarithmic ratios of the magnitude scale are very different beasts. If you are going to pursue photon counting you are likely to end up with something resembling IRAF's QPOE interface. Similarly with expressing world coordinates - there is an irreducible core of complexity. The way to deal with this is to embrace the complexity, not attempt to implement false simplicity.
> The problem with namespace is that it reduces interoperability --
> there was a fear that everyone would simply use their own namespace.
There are 340+ sessions here at JavaOne - and something like 340 different - and differently named - java class libraries and other "thingies" being discussed. Many of these overlap each other. It hasn't seemed to hurt the 15,000 attendees any. Folks may well define utilitarian namespaces willy-nilly for purposes internal to their own projects. They will, however, gravitate toward a few standard choices for any expressions that need to be shared with the larger VO community.
You aren't describing a problem - you describe an opportunity.
Rob Received on 2005-06-29Z18:56:16