F.lux--Very useful software for night-time computer users

**Odd_Nonposter** · 06-04-2010 03:43 AM

After reading a thread on the xkcd forums, I found a nice bit of software that significantly reduces my eyestrain while I'm working on a computer at night.

Here is the download link: http://www.stereopsis.com/flux/

It works not by reducing the brightness of your screen, but by reducing the color temperature at sunset in your region. Monitors are set to mimic daylight to reflect truer colors. This is fine if you work in the day, but staring at such a spectrum causes eyestrain at low light. By changing the spectrum of one's monitor to reflect ambient light, things no longer look so harsh and sterile.

I've only been using it for a few minutes, and I LOVE IT!

Although things look kind of funny with a sort of pink tinge to them for a few minutes, the strain on my eyes nearly vanished.

Note that if you have to do any color-sensitive work, you can disable the program for an hour to reset to the default spectrum.

The site has studies that have shown that reducing the color temperature positively affects sleep patterns. I briefly considered putting this into Sleep and Health, but I have yet to realize any such benefits. Plus, I figured that this would be seen by many more users in the Lounge. Mods, if this is in the wrong section, then please move it.

**Catbus** · 06-04-2010 04:09 AM

Now that summer has begun I'm going to be up a lot later, this is perfect.

**LiveInTheDream** · 06-04-2010 05:58 AM

Very interesting. The red hue probably also helps with the issue of blue lights causing melatonin suppression, and thus this could even help with lucid dreaming for those of us who happen to be on the computer late at night!

Thanks; I'm really liking this so far!

**Marvo** · 06-04-2010 03:05 PM

Thanks, this one is really interesting

**kookyinc** · 06-21-2010 09:46 PM

Looks awesome. Thanks! I stay up till 11 or midnight doing computer stuff, so this'll help greatly.
UPDATE: Oh my God, this is so nice on my eyes at night.

**horsey101** · 06-21-2010 11:54 PM

I find it reduces eyestrain during he daytime as well. Lowering brightness and running flux lets me read test and even watch movies without being as harsh on my eyes.

**LucidFlanders** · 06-21-2010 11:56 PM

Thanks i'll try it out. I get migranes 2-7 days a week because im on my PC too long and eyes get sore etc.

**Supernova** · 06-21-2010 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by LiveInTheDream

blue lights causing melatonin suppression,

And in light of this, it's ironic that DV has always featured a lot of the color blue.

**horsey101** · 06-22-2010 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by Supernova

And in light of this, it's ironic that DV has always featured a lot of the color blue.

Pun intended?

**Folqueraine** · 06-23-2010 09:33 PM

Bump, because this software has become a must-have for me. It's very subtle, you don't notice it's there. But if you turn it off, the glaring blue light is a harsh reminder of what you used to submit your eyes to. I couldn't go back!