Lokesh Dhakar, the developer of the revolutionary Lightbox JS image script, and owner of huddletogether.com stops by to “enlighten us” with the bigger picture of lightbox and his life.
DL: Hey Lokesh! Before we get things going, mind introducing yourself?
I’m a 24 year old web developer/designer living in Worcester, MA (roughly 40 miles west of Boston). I am mainly a frontend guy, so I tackle these acronyms: XHTML, XML, CSS, RSS, JS and spend most of my time in Photoshop and Dreamweaver (code mode! relax). I also enjoy crafty arts and small adventures.
DL: Javascript was once looked at as a staple for a bad design. It slowed down page loading times, and could create various errors; Javascript has made a comeback. What do you think of Javascript’s return to the internet and design?
I think it’s great that Javascript has quickly matured over the past year or so into a useful and simpler tool for creating cool interaction on the web. Unfortunately, it’s still a bit cumbersome and coding with it can still cause lots of headaches. Expect things to continue to change quickly as libraries improve and newer browsers remove current cross-browser headaches.
DL: How do you manage to keep your code so efficient and develop your script so it’s lightweight?
Keep your code well structured and thoroughly commented, efficiency and lightweight will follow. On a side note, if you are serious about learning Javascript, code something from scratch before you get too accustomed to using Javascript libraries. It’s a great way to understand the core concepts which, if you miss, will haunt you later, particularly in debugging (there will be lots of debugging!).
“Keep your code well structured and thoroughly commented, efficiency and lightweight will follow.”
DL: Lightbox is a prime example of Javascript at work in a fast loading, clean image script. What inspired you to create the script and then release it?
When inserting images into my blog posts the width of the column hindered me from posting the large size image I wanted and posting thumbnails to popup into a new window was bad for many reasons. One thing led to another?
DL: Do you have any future plans for any more free release scripts, or expanding on the lightbox script?
There are a couple of new scripts in the works. I have been very busy as of late so things on the personal/non-commercial end have been a bit slow. One script I have written about on my blog is Lightshow (a version of Lightbox with better gallery viewing features), which I have finally gotten back around to continue coding on. And, just like everyone else should be, I am also working on a secret web app.
DL: We don’t only want to talk about the development of Javascript. Why don’t you tell us a bit about your interests and hobbies?
Too many, really. Here are a quick list of some things that have been occupying my time as of late: biking, New York Mets, audible.com, my new camera (Digital Rebel XT), and some miscellaneous sewing.
DL: Lightbox is great script for photos, and it really helps compliment great photography. That you’ve taken care of. What camera do you use?
I own a Canon EOS Rebel, Digital Rebel XT, and an older Kodak Polaroid. I don’t get out with my camera as close to as often as I would like though. It’s a time thing.
DL: Your site has a pretty unique name. Any special reason you came up with Huddle Together, or did you just like the sound of it?
Originally the domain was setup to showcase the collaborative works of my friends and myself. The name Huddle Together described the teamwork, share ideas ethos I had in mind. This idea quickly turned into a fleeting thought.
DL: Thanks for letting Devlounge interview you. Good luck with your Lightbox project and keep up the excellent work.
