2007.07.05 05:08 "Re: [Tiff] BigTIFF extension", by Joris Van Damme

Toby,

But it's not really the same, since virtually NO program that processes classic TIFF can process ANY BigTIFF.

Virtually NO program that processes classic TIFF can process ANY jbig compressed ClassicTIFF. So it *is* exactly the same in this regard. Do we need another extension for those, too? Virtually NO program that processes classic TIFF can process ANY subsampled YCbCr ClassicTIFF that is flate compressed. Virtually NO program that...

Etc.

Furthermore, your statement holds only today. Whilst the situation with JBIG compressed TIFF and flate compressed subsampled YCbCr tiff may be lasting to some degree because it is tied in with licence issues and LibTiff design nobody is likely to fix any time soon, the situation with BigTIFF is likely not lasting as LibTiff 4.0 will penetrate software out there to an ever increasing degree.

is this not exactly the sort of profound format incompatibility that a different extension can usefully signify?

What 'profound format incompatibility'? There may be one today. As soon as LibTiff 4.0 hits the world, it'll be gone to a considerable degree, and it'll keep getting less profound from that point on. The incompatibility is profound only today, so it's incorrect to base a lasting strategy on it.

Best regards,

Joris Van Damme
info@awaresystems.be
http://www.awaresystems.be/
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