[monkbythesea]

Win 7 x64. You can change GUI on Linux. Well, just one more reason nagging at me to go over to Linux.

From a GUI standpoint, I feel eBook reader programs are too bright, too obtrusive to the eye while reading. I personally believe darker shades should be used for the toolbars in combination with darker shades or more muted whites for the background of the text. Now I have learned Calibre styesheets will allow manipulation of the text background, but I feel it should be standard. Not just for Calibre, but all eReaders. I've been reading eBooks for quite sometime, for hours on end, and find the stark contrast became tiresome on my eyes, and the brightness of the color schemes became irritating.

I think Adobe Digital Editions has a great color scheme and perhaps similar reasons led them to skin it in that manner.

Now most eReaders allow you to use a "night mode" which is usually jargon for white text on black background, which is better. And switch over to fullscreen and GUI not even visible. However, I have always felt "night views" contrast caused a a somewhat subconcious vertigo effect on eyes. I remeber in architecture school playing with color schemes and contrast and manipulating color contrasts of orange/blue, black/white, etc. Drastic contrast often takes on a 3D effect and can be disorientating and stressful on the eyes. I think Adobe Digital Edition's muted yellow/dark gray scheme very pleasing on the eyes. And I usually do not run any program in fullscreen beacause I'm just one of those people that likes constant/quick access to the menus, so the GUI is usually always present. For my own reasons as I posted above, I am using such software on 60" TV in living room. Brighter color schemes on that size tv is like trying to read with a spotlight pointed at you. But regardless of the screen size, I think eReaders could benefit from more muted colors and contrast.

At any rate, my post was merely an inquiry to see if it could be done for my personal taste and to make a humble commentary of the skinning of eReader software. However, the features of Calibre are so extensive, I feel almost silly posting a commentary on the color scheme. Well, perhaps in the future. And make Calibre for windows mobile and I'd be in eReader bliss.