"How does this constitute as a 8051 related issue?"

I know you asked Erik specifically, but I'm curious...

We discuss how to incorporate various other mediums for our 8051 communication projects (RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, RF, Ethernet, come to mind immediately). Seems to me like IR comms for an 8051 is just as legitimate as any of the other aforementioned means. Why would IR or IrDA be a no-no?