Poll: When working at your computer after dark, do you keep the lights on or off?
Sledi avtorju: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
OSEBJE SPLETIŠČA
Nov 15, 2025

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "When working at your computer after dark, do you keep the lights on or off?".

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Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugalska
Local time: 14:49
Član (2007)
angleščina - portugalščina
+ ...
N/A Nov 15, 2025

It depends on what you mean by after dark! In Portugal, we have been under Storm Claudia for two days (dark skies, intense downpours, gusty winds, thunderstorms…). It is just after 9 a.m. in Lisbon and it is so dark that I already have the lights on...

 
Lingua 5B
Lingua 5B  Identity Verified
Bosna in Hercegovina
Local time: 15:49
angleščina - francoščina
+ ...
Depends Nov 15, 2025

I keep it on up until 8-9 p.m., and after that ambient lighting mostly. This is just what I do generally, regardless of any work.

 
Gianni Pastore
Gianni Pastore  Identity Verified
Italija
Local time: 15:49
angleščina - italijanščina
Dim, warm light Nov 15, 2025

I don't think that lights completely off are really an option, if you don't wanna go blind by staring at a glaring computer screen for 4-5 hours straight.

Angie Garbarino
Maria Laura Curzi
 
Gregor Trebec
Gregor Trebec
Slovenija
Local time: 15:49
angleščina - slovenščina
+ ...
lights on Nov 15, 2025

I work with the lights on, i want to see the keyboard clearly.

Christine Andersen
Ines Radionovas-Lagoutte, PhD
 
Christine Andersen
Christine Andersen  Identity Verified
Danska
Local time: 15:49
Član (2003)
danščina - angleščina
+ ...
I avoid contrast between the screen and its surroundings Nov 15, 2025

Directly behind my computer is a light green wall. When there is any daylight, it comes from the window at the side, and I draw light curtains to avoid dazzle when the sun goes down and shines directly through the window.
A little later, I turn on a lamp over the keyboard, and then, when it gets really dark outside, I turn on the overhead light. In the mornings I may start with just the overhead light, which lights up both the keyboard and the wall.

The idea is to avoid ny eye
... See more
Directly behind my computer is a light green wall. When there is any daylight, it comes from the window at the side, and I draw light curtains to avoid dazzle when the sun goes down and shines directly through the window.
A little later, I turn on a lamp over the keyboard, and then, when it gets really dark outside, I turn on the overhead light. In the mornings I may start with just the overhead light, which lights up both the keyboard and the wall.

The idea is to avoid ny eyes having to adjust constantly to different levels of light - I find it very tiring.

The time of day when I turn on lights varies enormously her in Denmark. Now, in mid-November, we officially have 9½ hours less daylight than we had at midsummer, and it will go down to around 11 hours' difference around the solstice, before the days gradually get longer again, and it is noticeable by February!

The weather makes a big difference, too. Our grey weather in winter may mean I have the light on all day, or there may be a couple of hours' brilliant low sun in the afternoon, and I actually have to reduce the glare.

Basically, if it is dark outside, then I turn on the light when I work.
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Maria Laura Curzi
 
AllegroTrans (X)
AllegroTrans (X)  Identity Verified
Združeno kraljestvo
Local time: 14:49
francoščina - angleščina
+ ...
And I avoid answering pointless "poll discussions" Nov 15, 2025



Josephine Cassar
Ines Radionovas-Lagoutte, PhD
 
Daryo
Daryo
Local time: 14:49
srbščina - angleščina
+ ...
This one poll question is not really that 'pointless' Nov 16, 2025

AllegroTrans wrote:
And I avoid answering pointless "poll discussions"


This one poll question is not really that 'pointless' for a translator spending hours at a computer.

It might not be the most important factor, but getting right the balance between the screen light and the ambient light can make a significant difference.

After trying all sort of combinations, permutations and variations, I found illuminated keyboards to be very helpful to get the right balance of ambient/screen light. OK, it may sound like a minor detail, but your eyes will thank you nevertheless.


Christine Andersen
Maria Laura Curzi
 
Cilian O'Tuama
Cilian O'Tuama  Identity Verified
Nemčija
Local time: 15:49
nemščina - angleščina
+ ...
Site policy is working Nov 16, 2025

I think they post these silly polls so we discuss the ludicrousness. The site just wants our traffic, and we're giving it to them.

AllegroTrans (X)
 
Tom in London
Tom in London
Združeno kraljestvo
Local time: 14:49
italijanščina - angleščina
Yes. Nov 16, 2025

ProZ.com Staff wrote:
"When working at your computer after dark, do you keep the lights on or off?"


Yes. I do.


 
expressisverbis
expressisverbis
Portugalska
Local time: 14:49
angleščina - portugalščina
+ ...
No. Nov 17, 2025

Lights on? Of course not.
I work by candlelight now, it’s the perfect combination of rising utility bills and falling translation rates.
Very atmospheric, highly recommended.


Daryo
 


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Poll: When working at your computer after dark, do you keep the lights on or off?






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