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> The human eye sees light. So reading illuminated text on a dark background is generally easier. The scientific literature on readability does not back this u
by canjobear 10y ago
> The human eye sees light. So reading illuminated text on a dark background is generally easier.
The scientific literature on readability does not back this up. Results show large individual variability with a small overall preference for dark-on-light.
Some old papers cited here: https://www.joedolson.com/2006/08/on-the-readability-of-inverted-color-schemes/ https://www.joedolson.com/2006/08/on-the-readability-of-inve...
EDIT: Also here is a good example of how reading white on black is hard: http://www.ironicsans.com/owmyeyes/ http://www.ironicsans.com/owmyeyes/
- trymas 10y agoLast link (http://www.ironicsans.com/owmyeyes/ http://www.ironicsans.com/owmyeyes/) probably makes the greatest point here. After coming back to HN from that site, I've been seeing text superimposed everywhere.
- sandworm101 10y agoWell, that isn't actually "white" on black. Assuming you have an LCD screen illuminated by leds, or florescent tubes, you are seeing some amalgamation of colours that, together, you recognize as white. This isn't blackbody colour. Furthermore, white-on-black isn't really the best. It's just the inverse of what we see on most sites/devices. Try green, or red on black. It has a very different effect as it is better tuned to the biology of the human eye, which is why it works better in low-light conditions such as driving.
- iamthepieman 10y agothe biggest problem with that last link is the spacing and weight of the text - not the color scheme. I had a hard time with both the light and dark versions