Science f.lux: Prevent your computer monitor from ruining your circadian rhythm

[Jarvitä]

f.lux

Ever notice how people texting at night have that eerie blue glow?

Or wake up ready to write down the Next Great Idea, and get blinded by your computer screen?

During the day, computer screens look good—they're designed to look like the sun. But, at 9PM, 10PM, or 3AM, you probably shouldn't be looking at the sun.

F.lux fixes this: it makes the color of your computer's display adapt to the time of day, warm at night and like sunlight during the day.

It's even possible that you're staying up too late because of your computer. You could use f.lux because it makes you sleep better, or you could just use it just because it makes your computer look better.

I've been experimenting with this for a week now and I'm finding it much easier to fall asleep after using my computer in the evening. There's considerable science behind this.

 

[Quick_Nick]

Worth a shot. I just installed it.
Definitely easier on my eyes for night time browsing. (I happened to install it right before sunset)

 

[fireballs619]

I've used it for a couple of months now, and it really is hard to go back. Your eyes become used to the softer light at night, so the normal light actually hurts for a bit if you turn it off. I highly recommend it.

 

[Eli13]

Just started using it, love it. Don't think I'll go back for a loooong time.

 

[iamwearingpants]

Wow, this is cool! I'm using it right now!

 

[dbeachy1]

I love F.lux! I've been using it for about a month now and can't live without it anymore. :tiphat: I tweaked the nighttime color temerature to 3800K, but YMMV because each monitor is different.

 

[Pablo49]

It's similar to light therapy for DSPS. Which doesn't have very consistent results. Being someone with chronic DSPS, I already know light has little effect on fixing my sleep, so I am doubtful. But I shall give it a whirl just out of curiosity.

Edit: The color is annoying, actually. It is easier on the eyes, but I really can't deal with that level of color distortion. More beneficial to me to just lower my monitors brightness than make it pink.

 

[Linguofreak]

I've been having major problems keeping a sensible bedtime. Given that there's a Linux version, I'll see if this does me any good.

 

[n72.75]

WOW... That is Nice! No more burnt out eyes.

 

[Turbinator]

Thanks to this I can finally get some proper sleep.

 

[Quick_Nick]

Edit: The color is annoying, actually. It is easier on the eyes, but I really can't deal with that level of color distortion. More beneficial to me to just lower my monitors brightness than make it pink.

I'm wondering how protanopia affects my use of f.lux, positively or negatively.
I adjusted already to the color and brightness difference. (EDIT: at this viewing angle. At a higher angle it is extremely red)

 

[jedidia]

I guess graphic designers with a hang to working during the night (practically all of them, as far as I know) should avoid this, as it's hard enough to get a screen properly color-calibrated as it is...

 

[N_Molson]

Note there is a "disable for an hour" option, good thing for working Orbiter textures.

I just tried it, and I like it. The different colors are yelling "Time to go to bed, don't hang before the screen too late or you'll be a zombie tomorrow morning !"

Funny side effect : my mouse cursor in Windows is almost in 3D, being blue-ish on a red-ish background

 

[garyw]

Just installed it and it changed my monitor to a nice warm evening colour. I think I like

 

[orb]

Too yellow in night mode for me, even with 4500 K set as minimum, but that's probably because I'm mainly using a CRT monitor, and even my laptop is connected to its 2nd port when I'm at home.

Anyway, I can set the color temperature on the monitor, so I don't need it there. But it's probably good for LCD displays, so I'll check it later on my netbook.

 

[Izack]

Too yellow in night mode for me, even with 4500 K set as minimum, but that's probably because I'm mainly using a CRT monitor{...}

Your poor eyes! With that CRT flickering away, the colour temperature is the least of your worries.

 

[Krys]

Ah relief...my eyes were starting to hurt (it is 23:09 here). Love the idea - I've been doing something similar with my iphone when i read before bed, turn the backlight right down and read. The dimmer the screen, the easier it is to fall asleep.

 

[RisingFury]

A tip I can share:
Always use appropriate illumination of your room when looking at a computer screen in the evening, night or any other time when you're tired. Make sure your room light is on and if you have a desk lamp, turn that on too.

 

[martins]

I wonder if the simulated reflection of burning logs in an open fireplace would enhance the effect even more ...

 

[Loru]

Can't use it - I"m graphic designer and I cannot tolerate anything that fiddle with my color calibration.