Blue Footnote Indicators and Verse References are Uncomfortably Bright and Vivid

Willie · May 13

In version 41, the color of all footnote indicators, verse references, and other hyperlinks in bibles and non-bible books was changed to a painfully bright and vivid blue. Prior to version 41, a comfortable and non-distracting dark navy blue was used to identify these items.

The trend of using very bright vivid blues throughout the application began in mid-2023 with the release of version 26. This quickly prompted user complaints seen here: forum thread. In spite of those complaints, the bright vivid blue theme continued and expanded. However, until the release of version 41, hyperlinks within bibles and non-bible books were spared.

The bright vivid blues are distracting, uncomfortable, and often painful to look at for myself and others. Version 41’s placement of these bright vivid colors within the actual text of bibles and non-bible books has made what was already a difficult situation much worse because it more directly prevents those of us who are sensitive to these bright colors from the fundamental action of comfortably reading the text.

Potential Solutions:

Suggestion #1:

Add an option to change all extreme bright blue UI elements back to the more comfortable blue color used throughout the application prior to version 26. Click here to vote: Suggestion #1

This suggestion’s broad, application-wide focus would include but not be limited to hyperlinks within bibles and non-bible books. It would provide relief to those unable to tolerate the bright vivid blues, while maintaining these bright colors as an option for those whose vision needs require it. It was submitted in 2023 and has a current status of “under consideration”.

The more comfortable muted blue colors used throughout the application prior to version 26 included the dark navy blue hyperlinks within bibles and non-bible books, so that hyperlink color should logically be included if this suggestion is adopted.

Suggestion #2:

Add an option for users to select the color of all footnote indicators, verse references, and other links in bibles and non-bible books from a list of available choices to include the prior dark navy blue, as well as the current bright vivid blue. Click here to vote: Suggestion #2

This suggestion more narrowly focuses only on hyperlink colors within resources. Whether a user prefers the dark navy blue, the bright vivid blue, or another hyperlink color, that choice would be available.

In addition, this suggestion would positively assure a user the option of using dark navy blue hyperlinks, in case that specific hyperlink color choice is overlooked in the implementation of suggestion #1 above.

Conclusion:

The bright vivid blue colors used throughout the application are a problem to many of us, but those same colors now used within the text of bibles and non-bible books is a much bigger problem with no current customization option. Each of the two suggestions reflected above contains different but viable solutions. They are related, but each has unique benefits the other one does not. Your vote for either one or both would be greatly appreciated.

Bernhard · May 13

Hi Willie,

do you have problems only in Logos? I would think a system-wide solution for this would be more helpful long-term. I have just asked ChatGPT what can be done on Windows, probably there are similar solutions on Mac, if you are using that.

This was the answer, which seems to be a good summary:

Yes, there are several effective ways to tone down or reduce the intensity of blue light in Windows, which can help alleviate eye discomfort caused by bright blues. Here are your best options:

✅ 1. Use "Night Light" in Windows

This built-in feature reduces blue light system-wide by adding a warm tint to the screen.

How to enable:

Right-click on the desktop > choose Display settings.
Scroll down and turn Night light on.
Click "Night light settings" to adjust strength and schedule.

🔧 You can increase the strength to make the effect stronger (more red/orange, less blue).

✅ 2. Use a Blue Light Filter App (like f.lux)

f.lux is a free, widely used tool that dynamically reduces blue light based on time of day.

More customizable than Windows Night Light
Allows you to fine-tune color temperature
Lets you create custom profiles or disable blue light completely

✅ 3. Calibrate Display Colors (reduce blue channel manually)

You can tweak the color output of your screen:

Via Windows:

Open Search > type "Color Management"
Go to the Advanced tab > click "Calibrate Display"
Walk through the steps (note: limited blue control)

Better Option: Use GPU settings (Intel / NVIDIA / AMD):

Open your graphics control panel (e.g., NVIDIA Control Panel)
Find the "Display > Adjust desktop color settings" section
Manually lower the blue channel or increase red/green

✅ 4. Use High Contrast or Custom Themes

If the issue is limited to specific apps or UI areas:

Go to Settings > Personalization > Colors
Choose a dark theme or even High Contrast Mode
Or use custom CSS/UI themes with less blue (advanced)

✅ 5. Monitor-Specific Blue Light Filters

Many monitors have built-in settings like:

"Low Blue Light Mode"
"Reading Mode" or "Eye Saver Mode"

Check the monitor’s on-screen display (OSD) menu.

Summary:

Method	Effectiveness	Customization	Ease of Use
Windows Night Light	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Very Easy
f.lux	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	High	Easy
GPU Color Tuning	⭐⭐⭐⭐	High	Medium
Monitor Filter Mode	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Easy

If the person is especially sensitive, combining f.lux + a dark theme + monitor settings may be the most effective solution. Let me know if they use a specific monitor or GPU, and I can give more targeted instructions.

Willie · May 13

do you have problems only in Logos? I would think a system-wide solution for this would be more helpful long-term.

Thanks Bernhard, but the problem is not my operating system or screen. It is the bright vivid blue color Logos is now using for hyperlinks within bibles and non-bible books. Your vote for either or both of the suggestions I referenced in my post would be much appreciated.

scooter · May 13

I had to change my font re the too bright blue. I had all font bolded for east viewing. These thicker letters made reading easier.

The Logos new blue made viewing harder. I started to squint; my blink rate went up. I went to a non-bold font. Letters are skinnier. The black is now harder to see,,but the unnecessary-blue is less invasive.

Conclusion: The brighter blue is hard on my eyes. Herein, Logos is fiddling with things best left alone……Now, the quality of my viewing experience is reduced.

P. S. The too-much-white on this site hurts my eyes. Please fix, as well.

P. Christoph Blohberger · May 13

I thought I'm the only one with that problem… The new bright blue is not good for reading.

Francis · May 13

I like the new blue but understand that it is a discomfort for others. I'd be curious to know if the change for solely for aesthetic or other considerations. For instance, are there other users for whom the vivid blue is actually a help?

Logos is fiddling with things best left alone

For my part, I welcome continuing efforts to improve the UI visually. We have gone a long way from the grey backgrounds, the excessively square and stern interface and even less pleasant fonts and spacing to where we are at now.

It is useful for them to hear feedback though, when a change that was well-intended turns out to be problematic for users.

scooter · May 13

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1369037#Comment_1369037

Can I ask you to expand on liking the new blue? Is it an improvement? Did the old blue work for you? Do you equally like them both?

Francis · May 13

@scooter I like it (aesthetically), that's all. I find that it contributes to embellishing Logos, which in turns makes for a more pleasant visual experience. I've argued before that Logos used to be too stern and not "liquid" enough, especially when one compares it with the beautiful looks of some other apps. Sometimes interface pleasantness motivates to read more than the opposite.

This being said, if it causes visual problems for others, I'd be happy to go back to the former blue.

scooter · May 13

Thanks, Francis, for the reply.

DMB · May 13

I couldn't see the dark navy blue vs the black. An option seems best.

scooter · May 13

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1369089#Comment_1369089

Wow, are eyes ever different!!