Lee filters on computer screen

Good morning, I know this might not the best place to post this but perhaps I could get some help

To use my computer at night, I want to get some light filters to keep producing melatonin(or even keep night vision). Like this site details. Something Dead Link Removed
Rubylith doesn't exist where I live, but I found about lee filters, more specifically about colours #027 and #787

From what I've seen for each colour wavelenght(It's the first time I am into this), the #787 filters the non-red colours better and has a straight line in lower wavelenghts, compared to #027.
So my question is what color should I use and if I should use one or two layers of filter. This site says that the options(for a different purpose) are, two layers of #027 or one of #787, and that this last one might not work. Also I've read someone on a forum giving the same answer for applying the filters to a mobile screen.

Also I want to get a red light bulb or something similar, I dont have too much idea about those either, what should I keep in mind when getting one for my needs?

Thanks and happy new year ^^

coffee

Coffee, preferably Trader Joe's Colombia Supremo imbibed in copious amounts, does the same job for me.

Instead of fiddling with filters you could try the freeware program "Red Screen" which can be downloaded from

http://www.astrodigital.net/download/redscreen_windows/redscreen_windows.html

It is described as "a useful program for astronomers having a PC next to their telescope. It makes the computer screen red, keeping your eyes adapted in the darkness, since the red color does not disturb astronomic observations."

I use it myself if I have to keep my PC running in the darkroom.

Regards,
Michael

I read up on some of the science on this subject (polyphasic sleep). Boy, talk about over complicating a simple subject!

Like Michael suggested, the software above seems ideal.

I am not convinced of the science on polyphasic sleep on that first link, and would suggest being conservative if adapting any of these methods. There are many factors that affect melatonin production, and disrupting the body/mind's natural production cycle can be really problematic to your sleep, and very difficult to put back as it should be once changed. We're talking about bio rhythms that go back eons in living organisms. There's a reason these rhythms work the way they do. It really comes down to: when hungry, eat. When tired, sleep. I often think that the invention of worldwide artificial lighting has disrupted the natural rhythm of all living things on earth, and not for the better. All life on earth is designed to work by the sun and moon cycles, not man made lighting.

+1

J21 said:

Good morning, I know this might not the best place to post this but perhaps I could get some help

To use my computer at night, I want to get some light filters to keep producing melatonin(or even keep night vision).

Click to expand...

I used a CTO filter (Color Temperature Orange) over my iPad for a while. It's the same gel used by photographers to convert a daylight source such as a window to a tungsten source.

Are you having sleep problems? I had sleep problems for years and finally (duh!) eliminated caffeine from my diet and now I sleep like a log. If you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep, that's caffeine talking. Try Swiss Water Process Decaf; all the taste with none of the caffeine.

Getting rid of caffeine obviated the need for the CTO. Meditation helps, too.

Oddly, caffeine can make me sleepy, but usually it doesn't affect me either way. Perhaps I simply drink too much of it.

A good way to sleep well is to not drink any liquids before bed; that way you are less likely to need the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Out of curiosity, I followed a link contained in the first posted link; to the pubmed site. Of course, I know how to interpret studies, and I'm really not interested in evaluating these. However, it must be noted that the effects stated for the study were not across the board. They were more related to alertness, and did not seem to extend to "executive function," according to the brief synopsis.

My point? Well, IF there truly is an affect, it appears to be in specific areas, and does not affect all functioning.
Also, IF there truly is an affect, it is statistically significant; which means mathematically there is enough of an affect to measure and attribute it to the experimental treatment; it does not mean the effect will (or will not) be noticeable in everyday life.
Finally, it is certainly a correlation - and a correlation is not a cause-effect relationship.
There's more, but it's not like I'm writing a paper here

momus said:

I read up on some of the science on this subject (polyphasic sleep). Boy, talk about over complicating a simple subject!

Like Michael suggested, the software above seems ideal.

I am not convinced of the science on polyphasic sleep on that first link, and would suggest being conservative if adapting any of these methods. There are many factors that affect melatonin production, and disrupting the body/mind's natural production cycle can be really problematic to your sleep, and very difficult to put back as it should be once changed. We're talking about bio rhythms that go back eons in living organisms. There's a reason these rhythms work the way they do. It really comes down to: when hungry, eat. When tired, sleep. I often think that the invention of worldwide artificial lighting has disrupted the natural rhythm of all living things on earth, and not for the better. All life on earth is designed to work by the sun and moon cycles, not man made lighting.

Click to expand...

By now I will just keep the normal sleep pattern. As for the software, I'd prefer use a physical solution instead

ParkerSmithPhoto said:

I used a CTO filter (Color Temperature Orange) over my iPad for a while. It's the same gel used by photographers to convert a daylight source such as a window to a tungsten source.

Are you having sleep problems? I had sleep problems for years and finally (duh!) eliminated caffeine from my diet and now I sleep like a log. If you wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep, that's caffeine talking. Try Swiss Water Process Decaf; all the taste with none of the caffeine.

Getting rid of caffeine obviated the need for the CTO. Meditation helps, too.

Click to expand...

No, I dont have sleep problems, and I never liked coffe
The things is that I would like to go sleep naturally, instead of when it's time to shut down the screens. They make me go sleep later, and I end up sleeping too much daylight hours.

I think a red filter would be better. To preserve night vision I've read that you need 620nm wavelenghts or higher. The more dark adapted you are, the more melatonin you produce I guess?. Also I've read that any colour light is ok to preserve night vision if it is dim enough, but I haven't tested anything

In my experience , filters are expensive , I think you are talking about theater lights filter , they come in A4 sizes may be larger.
If you dont have money , you can order a red transparent painting on cut cheap window glass at a glass decoration shop or you can order an inkjet or laser print on A4 size plastic film. These are my ideas but there are excellent glass paints contains gold inside and very attractive.
one more idea is to buy a plexiglass color sheet cut by the laser. 2 meters to 1.5 meters is 100 dollars but may be you can find smaller used piece.

Good luck,

Umut

Slightly off-topic (well, on-topic with the off-topicness that has developed).

Lots of historical research into pre-electricity sleep patterns has uncovered a lot of writing and info on "second sleep". Apparently, humans went to bed at sunset (after a day likely much harder physically than days we have) and usually awoke deep into the night. This was a time for candlelight or lamps, reading, writing letters, reflection, prayer, etc., followed by "second sleep" until sunrise. The advent of the industrial age gave sleep a bad name, and sleep was often considered the sister to sloth.

My wife is very interested in this as she is often suddenly wide awake at 3AM; she's taken to getting out the journal and leaving the bed - apparently we're wired that way:

http://slumberwise.com/science/your-ancestors-didnt-sleep-like-you/

Many more articles on-line on the subject of "Second sleep" should this pique your interest.

Good sleep requires good sleep hygiene.

Mainecoonmaniac said:

Good sleep requires good sleep hygiene.

Click to expand...

I agree - can't tell you how many times I've crawled into bed and my wife says "Nuh-uh - you take a shower first!!"

M Carter said:

Slightly off-topic (well, on-topic with the off-topicness that has developed).

Lots of historical research into pre-electricity sleep patterns has uncovered a lot of writing and info on "second sleep". Apparently, humans went to bed at sunset (after a day likely much harder physically than days we have) and usually awoke deep into the night. This was a time for candlelight or lamps, reading, writing letters, reflection, prayer, etc., followed by "second sleep" until sunrise. The advent of the industrial age gave sleep a bad name, and sleep was often considered the sister to sloth.

My wife is very interested in this as she is often suddenly wide awake at 3AM; she's taken to getting out the journal and leaving the bed - apparently we're wired that way:

http://slumberwise.com/science/your-ancestors-didnt-sleep-like-you/

Many more articles on-line on the subject of "Second sleep" should this pique your interest.

Click to expand...

I knew about that too, but havent experienced it yet
Obviously for it I would need proper lights. Or set up a campfire, but I couldnt do it everyday, and if I did, I am sure someone would wake up to ask me what am I doing (and turn on all the lights)

Mainecoonmaniac said:

Good sleep requires good sleep hygiene.

Click to expand...

This is one step for it

I've looked for acetate but it was not avaible in the same thickness as in the link I posted, so I got some lee's
It does work in touch screens if someone is curious (although this can be checked easily with any material of the same thickness)