I agree about the point you make about contrast and syntax hihglighting, but I disagree with your conclusion.
In my experience dark backgrounds with light text are more tiring on the eyes in long coding sessions. Text gets blurrier quicker than when using a lighter background. I came to this conclusion after years of using dark backgrounds, and having switched to light backgrounds.
Personally, I think the question should not be 'white background or black background', because IMO a light gray or blue background is even better. Borland was on to something with their C++ and Pascal IDE's ;-)
I can't read a white background unless I'm in a very bright room. Off whites are better for me. But personally I prefer light on dark. But it's a personal thing.
I rue the day the browser default background colour changed from being light grey to white.
> In my experience dark backgrounds with light text are more tiring on the eyes in long coding sessions.
I completely disagree; my eyes tire looking at a light screen much more quickly. Sometimes I'll invert the colors late at night just to make things easier to read.
(Come to think of it, thanks for reminding me that I need to figure out how to get xcalib working with my external monitor, not just the laptop screen...)
Comments
I agree about the point you make about contrast and syntax hihglighting, but I disagree with your conclusion.
In my experience dark backgrounds with light text are more tiring on the eyes in long coding sessions. Text gets blurrier quicker than when using a lighter background. I came to this conclusion after years of using dark backgrounds, and having switched to light backgrounds.
Personally, I think the question should not be 'white background or black background', because IMO a light gray or blue background is even better. Borland was on to something with their C++ and Pascal IDE's ;-)
> Text gets blurrier quicker than when using a lighter background.
Perhaps you need to get glasses. I've never had text go blurry on me, regardless of the colour theme or duration.
I can't read a white background unless I'm in a very bright room. Off whites are better for me. But personally I prefer light on dark. But it's a personal thing.
I rue the day the browser default background colour changed from being light grey to white.
You may want to lower your monitor's backlight level (if LCD) or brightness/contrast (if CRT).
Thanks - but it is pretty darn low already.
> In my experience dark backgrounds with light text are more tiring on the eyes in long coding sessions.
I completely disagree; my eyes tire looking at a light screen much more quickly. Sometimes I'll invert the colors late at night just to make things easier to read.
(Come to think of it, thanks for reminding me that I need to figure out how to get xcalib working with my external monitor, not just the laptop screen...)