Ask HN: Can't focus when writing code in dark mode • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Can't focus when writing code in dark mode

#11

Post by lfowles » Sat, May 30, 2020, 6:19 PM UTC

toast0 wrote: post #5

Dark mode appeals to some people and not others. Having things available only in dark mode would be just as bad as only in light mode. (Having things only available in system colors, and having that have many well tested color schemes would be most preferable, but since it's not 1995, I guess that's not going to happen) If you want the least eye fatigue, you gotta go with yellow on blue, like Word Perfect of old. It'…

Additionally some dark modes are just bad. I've got a couple of programs that I can only stand on light mode.

Re: Ask HN: Can't focus when writing code in dark mode

#12

Post by tanin » Sat, May 30, 2020, 6:23 PM UTC

olefoo wrote: post #2

if it doesn't work for you; it doesn't work for you. Your personal productivity story doesn't have to be like anyone elses. As you work, start paying attention to what conditions seem to work better for you. Different brains and bodies are different, and programming as a mentally strenuous activity requires that you pay attention to your mental wellness.

+1

This also applies to ergonomics. There's a guideline for good ergonomics... but you'll need to experiment and personalize to fit your own ..umm... physiology(?).

I'm actually a huge fan of dark mode. I also enable flux's night mode the whole day; it seems to make me sleep better since I already have enough blue light in my daily life. I don't need more from a monitor.

Re: Ask HN: Can't focus when writing code in dark mode

#13

Post by rement » Sat, May 30, 2020, 6:24 PM UTC

It depends on the environment I am in. If I am in a dark room (my coworkers like the dark for some reason) it is much less glaring to look at a dark screen. In a well lit room (like my home office) a light theme is much easier to use. I just switch between the Tomorrow and Tomorrow Night themes.

https://github.com/ChrisKempson/Tomorrow-Theme

Re: Ask HN: Can't focus when writing code in dark mode

#14

Post by johnchristopher » Sat, May 30, 2020, 6:24 PM UTC

Most dark modes hurt my eyes, it seems like white characters or graphics on a black background burn my retina (like a glare). For video editing, photoshoping or any apps I use normal `white` mode. For coding I use solarized liked theme with pastels and soft colours.

It could be debated but I think it's a matter of personal taste, habits, personal sensitivity to light and scientific-based explanations and that each of those aspects carry a different weight depending on the person.

Re: Ask HN: Can't focus when writing code in dark mode

#15

Post by rammy1234 » Sat, May 30, 2020, 6:26 PM UTC

johnchristopher wrote: post #14

Most dark modes hurt my eyes, it seems like white characters or graphics on a black background burn my retina (like a glare). For video editing, photoshoping or any apps I use normal `white` mode. For coding I use solarized liked theme with pastels and soft colours. It could be debated but I think it's a matter of personal taste, habits, personal sensitivity to light and scientific-based explanations and that each of…

+1 for solarized theme. IDE solarized are better than dark mode. Most of the dark modes are actually hurting the eyes. Heavy contrast and font blur is very common thing in dark mode.

Re: Ask HN: Can't focus when writing code in dark mode

#16

Post by nurettin » Sat, May 30, 2020, 6:27 PM UTC

Dark modes are great, until someone decides to use dark color fonts on dark backgrounds (which constitutes up to 99.9% but not all of the themes)

Re: Ask HN: Can't focus when writing code in dark mode

#17

Post by rammy1234 » Sat, May 30, 2020, 6:28 PM UTC

johnchristopher wrote: post #14

Most dark modes hurt my eyes, it seems like white characters or graphics on a black background burn my retina (like a glare). For video editing, photoshoping or any apps I use normal `white` mode. For coding I use solarized liked theme with pastels and soft colours. It could be debated but I think it's a matter of personal taste, habits, personal sensitivity to light and scientific-based explanations and that each of…

Just want to add this for you : https://www.wired.co.uk/article/dark-mode-chrome-android-ios...

Re: Ask HN: Can't focus when writing code in dark mode

#18

Post by pmontra » Sat, May 30, 2020, 6:29 PM UTC

I write code in black windows (#000) and my terminals are also black. Everything else is white (#fff). No problems with that except the ones caused by aging, but I'm still ok with a screen at a harm's length.

Re: Ask HN: Can't focus when writing code in dark mode

#19

Post by ASalazarMX » Sat, May 30, 2020, 6:30 PM UTC

nurettin wrote: post #16

Dark modes are great, until someone decides to use dark color fonts on dark backgrounds (which constitutes up to 99.9% but not all of the themes)

Probably the same people who use thin, light fonts on bright backgrounds.

Re: Ask HN: Can't focus when writing code in dark mode

#20

Post by derekp7 » Sat, May 30, 2020, 6:31 PM UTC

The more light that hits your eyes, the more your iris contracts. The smaller hole makes for a clearer image (think of a pinhole camera). People who like dark mode have good vision at screen distance. For some others, they need to strain their eyes more to focus at that distance.

For me, the best is to have dark text on a light enough background, enough screen brightness overall, and a well lit room (natural light is really good, as long as it isn't coming from behind me).