We’re never the type to encourage late-night work sessions, but we understand that they can happen. And for those instances when you end up working in the dark, we want to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible.
Enter f.lux, a little piece of software that will (literally) change the way you look at your computer screen at night.
Here’s the gist: As the sun sets around you, f.lux will slowly change the coloring of your computer screen, turning the blue tones in the light more orange. Why does this matter? The blue light coming from your computer screen looks great during the day because it mimics natural sunlight. But at night when you’re relying on artificial light, it can be harsh on the eyes (and, as some research indicates, even disrupt your sleep cycle).
The best part? F.lux does all the work for you. Simply install the (free!) application (available for Mac, Windows, Linux, and jailbroken iPhones or iPads), set your location and color preferences (based on which type of light you work under at night), and have f.lux start at login. You’ll barely notice a difference in how your screen looks—especially if you have it transition over one hour—but your eyes will definitely reap the benefits.
Sounds like a simple change, but believe me when I say, once you’ve tried it, you won’t know how you ever looked at your computer screen without it.