Ask HN: Your code editor, black on white or white on black?

Re:Ask HN: Your code editor, black on white or white on black? by w0utert on Tuesday December 20, 2011 @09:01AM (#3373425)

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 ;-)

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Re:Ask HN: Your code editor, black on white or white on black? by rcfox on Tuesday December 20, 2011 @11:25AM (#3373971)

> 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.

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Re:Ask HN: Your code editor, black on white or white on black? by bilban on Tuesday December 20, 2011 @11:38AM (#3374032)

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.

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Re:Ask HN: Your code editor, black on white or white on black? by derobert on Tuesday December 20, 2011 @01:01PM (#3374392)

You may want to lower your monitor's backlight level (if LCD) or brightness/contrast (if CRT).

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Re:Ask HN: Your code editor, black on white or white on black? by bilban on Tuesday December 20, 2011 @07:50PM (#3375896)

Thanks - but it is pretty darn low already.

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Re:Ask HN: Your code editor, black on white or white on black? by chimeracoder on Tuesday December 20, 2011 @11:55AM (#3374112)

> 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...)

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