KB Article Theming and Support for Dark Mode

[macrospect]

Hello! I am trying to gain some insight on how theming (Core UI) is functioning for those using the built-in Dark Mode theming; specifically, when dealing with the KB. We are using Utah currently. I am namely wondering if anyone else is observing the behaviors displayed below and/or found a way to work around what I am getting in my third point below:

1. The article body editor remains white; inconsistent with Dark UI theming:

2. If we paste any text from Microsoft Word, it defaults to black text with white background styling; you can only see this by viewing the element.style tag (code editor box styling code) as a result of my above point, which leads me to the point listed below. Note, if we paste in as text-only then no formatting is carried over.

3. Unless a technician sets 'Text Color' and 'Background Color' to unconfigured (the one with the 'X' in it), then when they publish an article, it displays as the following white-background with black text once published and the dark mode theme is applied:

I realize that this could be some weird interaction between the SNOW KB and Word, however what's intriguing me is that this behavior occurs even if I have Word set to Dark or Light mode theming itself, so I can't quite figure out why SNOW is always seeing theming in the above behavior, despite what styling the source content has in Word.

Thanks!

[linniesea]

I have to ask why you chose to implement this color scheme/theme to begin with? I get that you might like it but you can change your personal PC preferences. On the other hand, that particular choice is difficult to read for most people and causes eye strain due to the contrast between the black background which absorbs the white text. The best choice for readability is black text on a white background. 

There is something about reading code with a black background and colored text, but that's not what you're publishing in most KB articles We add screenshots with code samples using the black background as there is something soothing about viewing code snippets that way but I would lose the black background unless your intention is to give your call center and other consumers of long KB articles headaches. 

I have found a lot of gamers and coders prefer the black background, but creating KBs is about developing articles for an audience and not for your own preference. 

Please do google this issue to find out I am not alone in my viewpoint on this issue.  

[macrospect]

We are looking to implement the scheme as an option (ie, not as a default) for those who prefer dark mode. Ultimately what you pointed out is accurate - its entirely personal preference, there's no arguing that.

I am finding many members of our team who use a dark mode browser extension, which actually does a pretty good job at overriding CSS code for SNOW, so I suppose I ask my original question more-so to inquire if the built-in CSS code for dark theming really hasn't been fully implemented yet; that-is, to eliminate need of a third-party extension.

[macrospect]

Ultimately what you point out is its purely personal preference; I am not going to argue that. I am merely trying to only find answers for those who prefer the dark theme as their preference.

[linniesea]

Thanks for the additional explanation. I happen to be someone who has developed contrast issues as I've gotten older, and want to make sure that people know that it is an issue. I've gone to some great-looking sites where the content is teal on a white background, and I can't read a word of it, for example. I've had similar experiences with magazines. It is such a disappointment. But with KBs, it is essential to read them, so even more important to use dark text on light backgrounds as the default, IMHO. Then provide instructions for those who want to work in dark mode. 

If you are interested in the subject, here is one of many articles on it: https://trevellyan.biz/readability/

Sorry, I can't help you more with the CSS. Good luck with that.