Software to soothe your computer eyes

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around software solutions for reducing eye strain from computer screens, particularly focusing on f.lux and its alternatives. Participants share personal experiences, preferences, and technical considerations related to screen brightness and color adjustments across different operating systems.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants advocate for f.lux, noting its ability to adjust screen color temperature based on the time of day, which they find beneficial for eye comfort.
  • Others express a preference for darker settings, questioning whether f.lux can accommodate constant warm yellow tones or blue light settings.
  • A participant mentions the use of sunglasses indoors due to light sensitivity, suggesting a need for darker display options.
  • Technical inquiries arise regarding the installation and functionality of f.lux on different operating systems, including Windows and Ubuntu.
  • Some participants share experiences with software compatibility issues between Windows and Linux, particularly regarding productivity software like MatLab and Microsoft Office.
  • There are discussions about the performance of Octave under Windows, with some participants expressing uncertainty about its usability.
  • One participant mentions using an alternative app, Bluelite Filter, on Android, which they find effective for similar purposes as f.lux.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of preferences regarding screen settings and software solutions, indicating that there is no consensus on the best approach to managing eye strain from computer screens. Technical issues and personal experiences contribute to differing viewpoints.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention limitations with software installation on different operating systems and compatibility issues with various applications, but these points remain unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals experiencing eye strain from computer use, those interested in software solutions for screen brightness and color adjustment, and users of different operating systems seeking compatibility information may find this discussion relevant.

Greg Bernhardt
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I rarely promote software, but since reading about the blue light glasses in the medical forum and remembering many members having trouble with light background sites I though I'd mention f.lux

f.lux has pretty much extended the lifetime of my eyes. It follows the sun in your area to match your screen light to the outside light. For example when it's midday, the blue light flows, but at night it changes to a more yellow. It does change your colors a bit though. I still use it all the time and my eyes don't hurt as much.

Read more
https://justgetflux.com/

@Evo
 
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Computer science news on Phys.org
It sounds like it makes the monitor bright during the day, I need it dark all of the time.

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.
:oldfrown:
 
Evo said:
It sounds like it makes the monitor bright during the day, I need it dark all of the time.

:oldfrown:
You can adjust it so it's warm yellows all day/night.
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
You can adjust it so it's warm yellows all day/night.
Ooh, can it be blue instead?
 
Evo said:
Ooh, can it be blue instead?
Yes, but that is what is usually hard on the eyes
 
I'm a bat. I had actually been thinking of making one of those old fashioned dark tinted monitor overlays.

When I go places, I usually wear sunglasses indoors due to the bright indoor lighting. Light is actually painful for me. I can see very well in near darkness.

Thanks for the link Greg!
 
Last edited:
Greg, which OS do you use f.lux in?
 
So you have no idea on how to set it up on Ubuntu or Ubuntu derivatives, right?
 
  • #10
It's available through the app store in Ubuntu I believe. If not I know there will be a .deb you can get online. I have it installed, I just forgot how I installed it years ago.
 
  • #11
I got something from their PPA but it is somewhat... buggy. Will check the store (I hate that place).
I don't see it in the store. =/

Another reason to get Win 8 soon. Hope it will be less cranky about my VGA whose BIOS I altered than Win 7.
 
  • #12
Win 7 is still great for me. I have played with 8.1 and it is nice too, but still little reason to upgrade
 
  • #13
Greg Bernhardt said:
Win 7 is still great for me. I have played with 8.1 and it is nice too, but still little reason to upgrade
My desktop and notebook are currently running only Linux. 64-bit Win VMs are a pain on the notebook (6 to 7 yo machine).
Plus: I miss Visual Studio and ALL the software that "runs optimally on Windows, acceptably on Mac and... well, works under Linux.".
I don't want windows command prompt back. I miss apt and yum. Hate the interface.
MatLab (which I haven't used for a while) has better performance under Win than Ubuntu (at least on my machines).
MS Office is WAY better than Libre Office.
Have you used Octave under Windows? Is it OK?
 
  • #14
Libre Office is good for free, but there are some compatibility problems between the two
 
  • #15
Greg Bernhardt said:
Libre Office is good for free, but there are some compatibility problems between the two
Namely PowerPoint, which I fortunately do not need. All my formula-intensive .docx have been slowly typed into .tex files. A pure win-win.

Can you answer about Octave?
 
  • #16
mafagafo said:
Can you answer about Octave?
Never used it, sorry
 
  • #17
  • #18
oui I just got a new laptop and I wonder if the screen is different than my last. On this one I have to set the brightness all the way down.
 
  • #19
Can't you just place them side by side and let your eyes tell you?

Better yet: conduct a study with 100 humans as control (gotta buy a third laptop, I think) and another 100 looking to both screens.
 
  • #20
Greg, thanks for posting about f.lux -- I have started using it on Windows. When searching for it on my Android phone and tablet, I ended up selection Bluelite Filter app instead--it works extremely well and does the same thing as f.lux on Windows.
 

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