i've been requested to design a dark interface which spreads a little light as possible. i'm interested in academic studies / researches about white text on black background: is it really tough to the eye or a myth? is it really less readable than black on white?

in all the researches I've found (see below) it was inconclusive, and in some it was rated by users almost as high as black on white.

thanks a lot !

researches i've found:

Hill, A. L. and Scharf L. V. (1999), " Legibility of computer displays as a function of color, saturation, and texture backgrounds. In D Harris (ed), Engineering psychology and cognitive ergonomics, (Sydney, Ashgate), pp. 123-130

Wang, A., Fang, j,. and chen, c. (2003), "Effects of vdt leading display design on visual performance of users in handling static and dynamic display information dual tasks". international journal of industrial ergonomics 32, 93-104

LIN, C. 2003, Effects of contrast ratio and text color on visual performance with tft-lcd. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 31, 65 – 72.

PASTOOR, S. 1990, "Legibility and subjective preference for color combinations in text" . Human Factors, 32, 157 – 171.

RICHARD H. HALL and PATRICK HANNA 2004, "The impact of web page text-background colour combinations on readability, retention, aesthetics and behavioral intention", University of Missouri – Rolla, Missouri

I've been requested to design a dark interface which spreads a little light as possible. I'm interested in academic studies / researches about white text on black background.

Is it really tough to the eye or a myth? is it really less readable than black on white?

In all the researches I've found (see below) it was inconclusive, and in some it was rated by users almost as high as black on white.

Research studies I've found so far:

• Hill, A. L. and Scharf L. V. (1999), " Legibility of computer displays as a function of color, saturation, and texture backgrounds. In D Harris (ed), Engineering psychology and cognitive ergonomics, (Sydney, Ashgate), pp. 123-130

• Wang, A., Fang, j,. and chen, c. (2003), "Effects of vdt leading display design on visual performance of users in handling static and dynamic display information dual tasks". International journal of industrial ergonomics 32, 93-104

• LIN, C. 2003, Effects of contrast ratio and text color on visual performance with tft-lcd. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 31, 65 – 72.

• PASTOOR, S. 1990, "Legibility and subjective preference for color combinations in text" . Human Factors, 32, 157 – 171.

• RICHARD H. HALL and PATRICK HANNA 2004, "The impact of web page text-background colour combinations on readability, retention, aesthetics and behavioral intention", University of Missouri – Rolla, Missouri