Running redshift under xfce

Redshift is a very handy program for people who tend to use their computers until after dark. Redshift will automatically lower the monitor's color balance down towards the red end of the spectrum as the sun sets, mitigating eye strain while working in the dark. However, it's designed to work with Gnome's clock applet, so if you aren't running gnome, a little extra work is needed to get it working. Redshift needs to know the computer's latitude and longitude (approximate) in order to calculate the sunset and sunrise times. It will refuse to start if it can't make this determination.

First, install redshift.

Ubuntu:

# apt-add-repository ppa:jonls/redshift-ppa
# apt-get install redshift

Arch:

# pacman -S redshift pyxdg

Now, look up your latitude and longitude (one decimal place is good enough) and create the configuration file ~/.config/redshift.conf with the following content:

[redshift]
location-provider=manual

[manual]
lat=32.7
lon=-117.2

Now, start redshift (it will probably appear under accessories). If the icon appears in the notification area, you're done. Redshift can be toggled on and off by clicking on the icon. For more configuration file options, look here: http://jonls.dk/2010/10/redshift-1-6-released/.

~~DISCUSSION~~