You would chuck your iPod out because someone has a differing opinion than your own? You could send it to us instead. We’ll make sure it ends up in good hands - maybe we’ll hold a contest and give it away!

But in all seriousness: we just finished recording another podcast (episode 12) with regards to spec work where you will more fully understand our thoughts on the definition of spec, where to draw the line, and if spec work (depending on the definition) is as bad as it is made out to be.

I still support Pixish in the way it is designed. And it is not designed to be spec work, even if some interpret it as such. Before we post Episode 12, be sure to research the history of speculative work, and step beyond the stark black-and-white. That way you’ll understand that often times, the nomenclature is the issue, not that we support true “spec” work.

The aforementioned contest has since been cancelled, and John has also expressed regret for voicing support of Pixish. Collis has also expressed opposition to design contests on the homepage. In light of these changes, I wish there was an edit function for these podcast comments.

I’ll stick around. I was beyond frustrated when the whole Pixish thing started, and I felt the strong urge to throw my iPod out the car window when I heard the name “Pixish” come through the speakers. But the recent comments by Collis and John lead me to believe that Fsw does not support spec work. Only Dickie does, and while that alone is disappointing since he is associated with Fsw, that in itself should not keep me from listening to the rest of the panel and reading the many informative articles and discussions on the website. I’m not a writer myself, Kristen, but I do value your contributions to the discussions and think you have a great deal to offer any freelancer.

Plus I also like seeing Jersey represented on the panel.

– Mike
Parsippany, NJ

You are absolutely right. I don’t support it, and so I have to look away. Unfortunately that means that I can’t be a part of Fsw. I’ve enjoyed the podcast, especially your contributions to is, as well as Cyan’s, but this repeated support of spec work by Dickie and now other Fsw contributors is just too much. Fsw supports spec work by giving Dickie a platform to promote Pixish and doing free work for potential clients, (and now also by promoting this book cover contest), and I cannot, in good conscience, support a site that promotes spec work. If it means that I have to move on, than I guess that is just the way it will have to be.

We don’t feature things on the show that we think everyone will like; we put our best out there and things that we like and respect our listeners to make up their own minds.

Quite disappointing that Freelance Radio would support something like that. Sadly this isn’t the first time Dickie has supported spec work. In an earlier episode I recall him talking about doing free work to land a new client.

Dickie, I’m so untechnical, how do I get a pic? I don’t have a little FSW guy and I want one. Well, a girl. But no pimp hat like you–you’re the pimp around these parts. xoxo

My only intention was to convey that I got the impression that because you said you were charging rates at average or slightly below average for the market, and that maybe you consider raising them, since it sounds like you do top-notch work. I wanted to point out some potential benefits of that.

If you’re content or if that would just make you too uncomfortable to do that, then hey, ignore everything I say. Maybe someone else who really does need a nudge in that direction will read this and benefit from it.

Cheers!