Please read computer graphics related books (Newman and Sproull, Foley and Van Dam) for more information. I found "Human Aspects of CAD" by Majchrzak, Chang, Barfield, etc. to be a useful source. They quote some studies done on this topic.

The recommended color schemes for easiest reading are yellow (foreground) on black (background) when using Computer/TV Screen (CRT) or use white-on-black. This is when you need to read a lot of text. Now that LCDs are dominant, a fresh look needs to be taken on these color schemes.

For reading on paper, black-on-white or black on any light background (cream, light gray, pastel shades).

For drawing attention of the reader, red on any background is used.

-- Raj

Just check on how DEC and Sun have evolved. There are enough parallels among them.

1. Both started out with major presence in educational and R&D segments. The early adopters of their systems were in these segments. Both benefited from a large pool of "shared" software that were developed on their systems within these segments.

2. DEC stuck closely with VMS (earlier RSX-11) even though the "geek" had Unix on VAXes and PDP-11s.
Sun did the same with Solaris.

3. Both decided to move to more lucrative banking, insurance kind of companies and ignored the education/R&D segment.

4. Both had a strong reputation of "solid" systems that just kept working. The systems continued working for years and years.

5. Both ignored the changing preferences of their "mother" segment of education/R&D.

6. We know where DEC is today. Sun seems to be following the exact path that DEC took.

More insights on the above are welcome.

Start of journal on November 24, 2003.