Some Random Dude is a blog by P.J. Onori that covers design & technology in the broadest sense possible.

Use Tumblr? If so, you may find Off Franklin useful.

Archive for the ‘Opinion’ Category

Click on one of the items below to go to the post

Flash, the iPad, He Said, She Said, the Frying Pan and the Fire

Posted on 9 February, 2010 at 7:35am with 3 comments

Even if the iPad is not a success, media producers are understanding the implications of using a technology that could be rendered lame almost overnight. It is as if in an instant the world saw what has been taking place for years; HTML/CSS/Javascript has been catching up to Flash – pushing it closer to being inessential. You cannot put the cat back into the bag. However, Apple is not to be applauded. They are upping the ante for how closed an experience can be for next-gen mobile devices. After the unveiling of the iPad we have heard sniping from both Adobe and Apple, however neither have the best interests of the public in mind. Read the rest of this post…


Why You Should Give Away (Some) of Your Work

Posted on 2 February, 2010 at 6:46am with 14 comments

I am an ardent supporter of the open-source philosophy – but who isn’t? It is a safe assumption to make that just about anyone working on the web in some capacity (developer, designer, information architect, marketer, etc.) is taking advantage of free/open-source work in one way or another. The internet would not be the internet that we know without free and open-source projects moving it forward. With that in mind, I consider it the obligation of those who make a living on the internet to carry their share of the weight and offer up something in return. Read the rest of this post…


A Call For Open Sourcing Our Fonts

Posted on 26 February, 2009 at 2:09am with 3 comments

With embedded fonts being supported by all modern browsers in one form or another (be it EOT or @font-face), it is only a matter of time until font embedding becomes commonplace on sites catering to current generation browsers. There is a large collection of blog articles discussing the obvious ramifications of embedding commercially-licensed fonts, the inevitable rise in piracy and the equally inevitable decrease in type foundry profits. I have spent a lot of time thinking about this subject and how it relates to recent copyright debacles conflicts. I would like to be optimistic that a proactive approach towards embedding licensed fonts is attainable and will be accepted by many of the major foundries. However, I do not think it will be happening anytime soon. Therefore, I think the more plausible solution for the immediate future, is to push for an embeddable, open source font collection. Read the rest of this post…


Why I Block IE6 and Why You Should Consider Doing the Same

Posted on 10 February, 2009 at 11:09am with 25 comments

When Internet Explorer 6 came out in 2001, it was a huge step forward for the browsing world. Sadly, while the long-living browser still commands a strong contingent of users, it has outlived its welcome for at least 5 years. Nowadays, the nearly 8 year old browser still continues to be a thorn in side of web developers. When I redesigned my site this past January, I was unwilling to commit to the time it would take to make IE6 fully compatible with the design and unorthodox elements on the site. I had a choice of allowing visitors using IE6 to have a downgraded version of the site (which would take time in and of itself to implement) or to block them altogether. I chose the latter and I am writing why I think it is a reasonable decision. Read the rest of this post…