[Health] Blue light kills your melatonin levels

[JJJ]

On my Linux Mint, there is a tiny application called Redshift.  When configuring, you provide your latitude and longitude coordinates, and a color temperature.  The app figures out the rest.  It visibly modifies the color balance on my LED monitor.  Very convenient, automatic.  Redshift is open-source, and is said to be available for most Linux distributions.

Thanks for that - I had never heard of redshift before. I just installed it, but when I ran it my screen became kind of pinkish (it's after dark here). I didn't care for the appearance, so I killed it. Others may find it useful.

[sheepless]

"my screen became kind of pinkish"

that's kind of the point. it's what happens when blue is reduced. it might have bothered me the first time but I don't notice it except when toggling the app on and off. I'm not sure but I think some apps will change incrementally as it gets darker in order to make the color change less noticeable.

[becker44a]

Thanks for that - I had never heard of redshift before. I just installed it, but when I ran it my screen became kind of pinkish (it's after dark here). I didn't care for the appearance, so I killed it. Others may find it useful.

Hi JJJ,
If you Google "configure redshift" you'll find articles on setting up Redshift with your own choices for color temperature during day and night times, and a number of other settings.  These can be put in a file named redshift.conf, and stored in your user profile structure.  The change is produced by manipulating the gamma settings of your display.  The changes are most visible when looking at an area that should be white.  On my display the whites turn less brilliant, and with a somewhat orange tint.  I think I fall asleep more quickly since I installed this tool, as I am often on my computer late in the evening.

[greatunclebill]

OK.... I think I'm a believer. Been making some adjustments. Thanks guys.

[Omercpap]

Windows 10 has a Night Light feature in Settings.

Yes it has, but it is not enough, I do suggest to decrease blue light levels to a minimum level. Otherwise, the screen works as an artificial blue light generator. Default blue light setting is for getting more customers for the shop environment. Not for safe home use.

[Jeff8356]

I do happen to like the very pinkish/red screen I get with F.lux.  I took a little getting used to at first.  But I am one who likes to read in bed on my laptop and am also very sensitive to blue/white light that is typically given off with most modern devices today.

To each his/her own.......

[midwestguy]

There's blue light in many lighting fixtures. Although the screen contributes the
most, it helps to knock out all the blue light you can. After 8PM (arbitrary), I
wear a pair of blue-blocking glasses from Canada. They're on until lights out.
They seem to help.

Harv

[weiss27md]

It's also just as important to get sunlight during the day, without sunglasses. Having warmer lights at night is good, I just use incandescent.

[fstrife]

Some computer monitors also have a low blue light mode.

[SakimaStorm]

I am another Linux Mint (Debian Edition) user who recommends redshift. (And as stated above, you can tweak your settings in the redshift config file), And after using it a bit, when you temporarily turn it off, you will be amazed at how blue your screen used to be. Ick. No going back. I've used redshift for years and can't imagine looking at a monitor without it. Ditto for Twilight on Android based phones and tablets.