[Macworld.com]

If your display is too bright, even at the lowest setting, or if you need to quickly switch between different brightness or gamma settings, these utilities can help. [more]

[Inkling]

Those who're doing one thing in the dark, such as writing the Great American Novel, might want to look into some of the applications that have a full-screen mode, where the application takes over the entire screen. Set the background color to something dark, and all that glare is gone.
If you're a writer of any sort, one marvelous choice is Scrivener, a writing application that gives you a full-screen mode that can be customized for green or amber on black writing. You'll have an almost totally dark screen that's easy to read in the dark or (some say) in bright sunlight. And reducing clutter can get the creative juices flowing.
http://www.literatur.../scrivener.html
Scrivener's so handy, I got a MacBook just so I could use it to write away from my desktop.
--Michael W. Perry, Untangling Tolkien

[Drdul]

I work in the dark or near-dark, too, and agree with your assessment of monitor brightness. Mine were factory-set at 380 cd/m2, whereas I have them cranked down to 133 cd/m2 at the factory setting, I could feel the heat pouring off them!
While were on the subject of working in the dark, how about reviewing illuminated Mac-compatible keyboards? The white-with-grey-lettering Apple keyboards are almost impossible to see in a near-dark environment. There are plenty of Windows-compatible illuminated keyboards, but I can't find any decent Mac-compatible ones. I had hoped Apple would include illuminated keys on their new keyboard perhaps you can point me towards a decent alternative while I wait for Apple to add that feature.
Cheers!

[Dan Frakes]

Quote:

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There are plenty of Windows-compatible illuminated keyboards, but I can't find any decent Mac-compatible ones.

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I reviewed an i-Rock model earlier this year, but it wasn't a great keyboard; I haven't seen many Mac-compatible backlit offerings. That said, I've heard good things about Deck keyboards, and I hope to take a look at one:
http://www.deckkeybo....com/legend.php



You could also go with a keyboard with large, white letters on black keys:

http://www.visikey.net/index.html

[Drdul]

Hi Dan:
Thanks for the response. I saw the i-Rocks keyboard, but also concluded (from your review as well as comments elsewhere on the 'net) that it wasn't worth trying. The Deck keyboards look pretty good, but I see that there is a big warning to Mac users! If you're willing to risk the $159 to try one out, I'd love to hear about it!
Cheers!

[Dan Frakes]

I saw that warning, as well, but it struck me as being more of a disclaimer -- so Mac users won't order keyboards and then return them when they're disappointed -- than a serious limitation. Basically, the keyboards don't have a Mac power button or (for some models) a USB port. The modifier keys are Alt and Windows rather than Option and Command. And the numeric keypad's keys don't work as arrow keys; you need to use the arrow keys for that.
In other words, there's nothing in that warning that's different from any other Windows keyboard someone might choose to use with their Mac /forums/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[rbienstock]

My problem is with the MacBook Pro's automatic brightness control. My machine is only barely bright enough with the lights fully on and the brightness control at maximum. If I turn off the light, it dims, but way, way, too much, and turning the brightness control all the way up doesn't help. Turning automatic brightness off makes the screen somewhat too bright in dim or no light, but still not bright enough in a room with more light. Should I try one of these programs to solve my issue? I don't suppose that any of these will allow one to turn up the brightness higher than the maximum on the controls otherwise available to the user?

[infogeek]

DarkAdaptedPro has some nice features but I had some problems running DarkAdapted Pro. The application would not hide, even after reboot and it made my mouse pointer sticky (unresponsive) i.e. the mouse pointer would freeze momentarily before moving. Uninstalling DarkAdapted Pro fixed the problem.
Mac Pro 8-core 3 GHz, 2 GB RAM, Mac OS 10.5.4.

[SkyNite]

From the developer:

Hi infogeek,

This is the first I've heard of an issue like this. Perhaps you should try re-downloading?

DarkAdapted Pro is just an application; it does not modify your system in any way. But if it's affecting your mouse pointer while it's running, perhaps you have a damaged copy or are experiencing some sort of conflict with other software?

Either way, feel free to contact me. I'd sure like to get it working for you.

? Steve

[infogeek]

After tech. support at Aquila Digital emailed me with some troubleshooting tips, I reinstalled Dark Adapted and have not had any problems with it any more.

ig