Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

sl8

(16,245 posts)
Thu Oct 19, 2023, 08:05 AM Oct 2023

What is the purpose of "Night Mode"?

Just curiosity on my part, not a problem or complaint.

What's the advantage in using "Night Mode" for one particular web site, rather than using the dark/night mode option(s) in the browser or OS?

It seems to me that it would be a lot easier to set it in the browser or OS than have to set it on individual web sites, if even offered as an option on the web site.

What am I missing? Does the DU (or other site) version offer better/different options?

24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
What is the purpose of "Night Mode"? (Original Post) sl8 Oct 2023 OP
It's easier on the eyes. BlueTsunami2018 Oct 2023 #1
How so? sl8 Oct 2023 #11
No, I wasn't aware there was a browser option. BlueTsunami2018 Oct 2023 #20
Ah, got it. sl8 Oct 2023 #23
YAWN............... JohnSJ Oct 2023 #2
I don't get it. sl8 Oct 2023 #6
No, night mode, sleep. I guess not very funny JohnSJ Oct 2023 #19
No, no, it was good. sl8 Oct 2023 #21
Thanks JohnSJ Oct 2023 #22
it doesn't cast as much light. SleeplessinSoCal Oct 2023 #3
I understand that part. sl8 Oct 2023 #4
I think it's just a benefit for people like me. SleeplessinSoCal Oct 2023 #8
OK, thank you. nt sl8 Oct 2023 #9
Lol intrepidity Oct 2023 #5
Thanks. sl8 Oct 2023 #7
I wonder if maybe certain sites benefit more from it intrepidity Oct 2023 #10
I could see that, thanks. sl8 Oct 2023 #12
To answer your specific query ... Yonnie3 Oct 2023 #13
Thank you, that makes sense. nt sl8 Oct 2023 #14
Not everyone has a global dark/light browser mode, and it may not always render correctly if you do ZoltarSpeaks Oct 2023 #15
Thank you. nt sl8 Oct 2023 #16
I like the night mode because it helps me sleep while reading DU. Otherwise, I'd have to hide my desktop monitor under my pillow while I sleep. Wonder Why Oct 2023 #17
Sleeping while *reading* DU is fine, but sleeping while *posting* on DU can be problematic. sl8 Oct 2023 #18
Night mode is for Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha SpankMe Oct 2023 #24

sl8

(16,245 posts)
11. How so?
Thu Oct 19, 2023, 08:26 AM
Oct 2023

I understand how darker display themes might be easier on the eyes, but why not use the dark/night mode display options in the OS or browser? That way it applies to all apps and web sites, rather than having to set it individually for each different app or web site.

Or, are you saying that you've tried the browser/OS options and found that the DU version works better in some way?

BlueTsunami2018

(4,006 posts)
20. No, I wasn't aware there was a browser option.
Thu Oct 19, 2023, 09:15 AM
Oct 2023

I do use it for my basic phone settings and when I saw it was an option here, I immediately switched to it.

I like it.

sl8

(16,245 posts)
23. Ah, got it.
Thu Oct 19, 2023, 09:19 AM
Oct 2023

Your browser might not have the option.

Android & Windows have the option, not sure about Apple.

sl8

(16,245 posts)
4. I understand that part.
Thu Oct 19, 2023, 08:18 AM
Oct 2023

But why not use the dark/night mode display options in the OS or browser? That way it applies to all apps and web sites, rather than having to set it individually for each different app or web site.

SleeplessinSoCal

(9,671 posts)
8. I think it's just a benefit for people like me.
Thu Oct 19, 2023, 08:23 AM
Oct 2023

I'm trying that mode only here on DU. It's an experiment for me. I appreciate the option.

intrepidity

(7,892 posts)
5. Lol
Thu Oct 19, 2023, 08:19 AM
Oct 2023

Isn't it frustrating when you take the time and effort to ask an explicit question, yet get replies that make it clear that your efforts were to no avail?

Happens to me *all* the time.

I don't know the answer, but it is a great question. Hopefully someone will know.

intrepidity

(7,892 posts)
10. I wonder if maybe certain sites benefit more from it
Thu Oct 19, 2023, 08:26 AM
Oct 2023

Like, on my device with my settings, DU has a lot of white space, so maybe I'd want to deal with that locally, rather than use a global setting that affects all other sites that may not really benefit from it?

That's my best guess. Plus, it gives the site creator, perhaps, more control over which elements work best aesthetically?

sl8

(16,245 posts)
12. I could see that, thanks.
Thu Oct 19, 2023, 08:29 AM
Oct 2023

There's definitely a pun in there somewhere, but I will refrain.

You're welcome, everybody.

Yonnie3

(18,112 posts)
13. To answer your specific query ...
Thu Oct 19, 2023, 08:30 AM
Oct 2023

I've tried night mode globally on both an Android phone and my PC and it totally screws up a few websites.

Having it as an option only for this site that I use a lot is helpful.

ZoltarSpeaks

(100 posts)
15. Not everyone has a global dark/light browser mode, and it may not always render correctly if you do
Thu Oct 19, 2023, 08:35 AM
Oct 2023

I use the Dark Reader add-on for Firefox because I generally like everything in dark mode. But admittedly some sites do not convert correctly resulting in black text on a gray background or something like that. In those cases I have to have the add-on disabled for the problematic website and either live with the light screen or make use of the site's own night mode, if it has one.

More and more websites are now incorporating dark mode themes of their own, but I still find it easier to use the browser add-on to globally change everything.

Wonder Why

(4,589 posts)
17. I like the night mode because it helps me sleep while reading DU. Otherwise, I'd have to hide my desktop monitor under my pillow while I sleep.
Thu Oct 19, 2023, 08:58 AM
Oct 2023

sl8

(16,245 posts)
18. Sleeping while *reading* DU is fine, but sleeping while *posting* on DU can be problematic.
Thu Oct 19, 2023, 09:06 AM
Oct 2023


I understand how darker display themes might be easier on the eyes, but why not use the dark/night mode display options in the OS or browser? That way it applies to all apps and web sites, rather than having to set it individually for each different app or web site.

SpankMe

(3,249 posts)
24. Night mode is for Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha
Thu Oct 19, 2023, 02:08 PM
Oct 2023

(Includes everyone born after 1997.)

Baby Boomers through Millennials may not use it.

I'm not kidding. Everyone in my office under 26 or so uses night mode, or dark mode, in all applications and with the OS itself. Everyone older than that uses standard light/day mode. This is one of the more bizarre generational differences that I can't explain.

Latest Discussions»Help & Search»DU Community Help»What is the purpose of "N...