I would, however, vote for a similar proposal where AM has a "Switch to dark theme" (or similar) option.

But again, the users who my suggestion applies to have already expressed their preference for a dark theme by setting their OS and/or browser to a dark theme. Your suggestion is theoretically possible with JavaScript (I've implemented a toggle like that myself), but ignores the aforementioned preference. (Cue the people who browse the web with JS turned off complaining next ;-) )

The point you raise, accidentally posting replies as AM, could easily solved differently by e.g. displaying a clear notice next to the submit button, there is no need for the entire site to be a relative retina-burning white when just about every other site and app respects the dark mode option.

Updated as per reply below.

I was simply expressing my opinion in a polite, even-tempered manner. I'm somewhat surprised at the tone of your response.

"... the users who my suggestion applies to have already expressed their preference for a dark theme ..."

I did write: 'I see my preferred "dark theme".'; so I'm one of those users.

"Your suggestion is theoretically possible ..."

I made no suggestion. I merely stated an alternative proposal that I would support.

"... there is no need for the entire site ..."

I would rarely browse more that one node as an AM.

"... to be a relative retina-burning white when just about every other site and app respects the dark mode option."

See https://www.perl.org/, https://www.perl.com/, anything linked from the newly added Slashdot & HackerNews nodelets, and many, many more that do not use a dark theme (which both my O/S and browser settings indicate).

Anyway, as I said, I'm just giving my opinion. I am not attempting to champion a cause. If you don't like my opinion, that's OK.

— Ken

I'm somewhat surprised at the tone of your response.

I re-read my node and am not really sure what you mean; I highlighted what I felt to be an important point in bold. The comment about complaining users was meant to be tounge-in-cheek, I've added a smiley to hopefully clarify.

I made no suggestion. I merely stated an alternative proposal that I would support.

I don't really see the difference between the two terms "suggestion" and "alternative proposal". But anyway:

I did write: 'I see my preferred "dark theme".'; so I'm one of those users.

I'm still not sure if we're talking about the same thing here. PerlMonks has a theme selection in the Display Settings, but that's not the preference I'm talking about, because it requires both a login and a page reload when changing the setting. Instead, in the Windows color settings, in the Firefox theme preferences, in the Android display settings, and I assume in other places in Linux and iOS, there is a system-wide dark mode setting that requests from all apps, and all sites in the browser, to display a dark mode theme if they are capable of displaying it.

If you have this setting turned off, then my suggestion does not affect you at all.

If you have this setting turned on, then sorry, but your points in your node above still don't make sense to me as to why PerlMonks should intentionally ignore the "system-wide dark mode setting" (assuming it is capable of supporting it).

this tells me how far back I need to look at "Newest Nodes" and "Recently Active Threads"

Newest Nodes and Recently Active Threads keep track of that automatically for you; you shouldn't have to manage that yourself.

I will usually log in immediately ... There are a few situations where I revert to AM ...

How are you doing that? You shouldn't need to explicitly log out and in again. The Domain Nodelet is useful for managing this. You can log into each of your pups on a different domain, and any others will serve for AM access; then just jump between them via the Domain Nodelet.

"Newest Nodes and Recently Active Threads keep track of that automatically for you; you shouldn't have to manage that yourself."

That's not been my experience; I have had to manage it manually. Do I need to adjust one or more settings somewhere for this to be automatic?

"How are you doing that? You shouldn't need to explicitly log out and in again."

I don't log in and out. Say I'm logged in using www.perlmonks.org, here's two common methods I use (with Firefox):

• Duplicate Tab, then change org to net (or similar): different URL; no cookies set for this URL; not logged in.
• Right-click then "Open Link in New Private Window": same URL; no cookies set in new private session; not logged in.

"... via the Domain Nodelet."

I've seen that in the past; it used to appear automatically; I never used it. I now see it's an opt-in via "Nodelet Settings". But thanks anyway for pointing it out.

— Ken

Do I need to adjust one or more settings somewhere for this to be automatic?

I don't think so. I am curious why it's not working for you. Works flawlessly for me; and I haven't heard anyone complaining of issues.

I don't log in and out ... Duplicate Tab, then change org to net ...

Ah. Well, the Domain Nodelet makes that a snap; no address editing necessary. Just open the 'net' link (in the Domain Nodelet) in new tab. Done.