Light or dark environment?

I have always had a problem watching TV, using a computer, or anything lit up in such a way in the dark. I definitely get a lot more done in the light and on light-themed programs. I had actually thought about this because I make a lot of errors on my MySQL Command Line program and it seems (partly) because I'm thrown off by the black background, so used to typing anything into a white background.

Definitely an interesting topic...

I really like natural light as much as possible. I try to position my desk near a window if possible. Lately I've been bringing my laptop outside and working at our patio table. At work, I don't have much of a choice. Lights are on and we have a good window so there's a good combination of both. Yesterday we had the lights off in the office because there was a power advisory on. I didn't really like it. I felt kind of slow and unmotivated. At my old job we had the lights off all the time for various reasons and I hated it. Felt like I was missing daytime.

I wonder if this is a designer/developer thing - designers like light, developers like dark?

Hmmm... I wonder the same thing Megan, when I make logos, design sites, I prefer daylight, I also position my self near the window, I also get daylighter bulbs so that my monitor colour temp. settings match during the night.

What's odd though is when coding php files, html or css tags, I usually turn-off the lights to zone-in...

This is a pretty interesting thread, I hope to read more about this.

I prefer something in between, too much light is a little distracting and too little makes it hard to type (even though I hardly look at the keyboard).

I don't really have a preference. Although, when trying to type in the dark I always get put off by not being able to see the keyboard, in the light I can see it perfectly well but never need to look at it. Must be some subconscious thing. Do you turn all your lights out Abhi?!

Personally I like dingy, it's raining today, miserable and dank: I like it! This is the best weather when you're indoors working, not too hot and the air is always so much clearer after a good rain. So, I like light but not too much of it. If I weren't sat at the keyboard and were going on a cycle ride, or for a walk, I'd prefer the weather to be sunny and clear.

i find artificial light is the best for me a good old 100W bulb and at night. all though that might not be the case i do test to do most of the work at night anyway

we have almost similar methods andy...

DARKNESS!

This might be a small part of me being very much into metal, and all things related to darkness, but I prefer to code in the dark. Graphic design too, but I'm mostly a coder/programmer.

I've tried doing it in the daylight, and I can't focus as well. I've tried shutting my blinds to my apartment, but that only helps a little. I've recently discovered that my "prime time" for programming is something like 7pm - 3am....

There's just something about getting alot of work done when everyone else is asleep...

natural light is the best

I prefer working in light then in darkness

I like light environment.

i like dark environment when im sleeping..

Light environment, because I can read books and see other things more easily. Doing Photoshop work also requires a well-lit area so the colors aren't way off.