We've seen our fair share of
battles in the consumer electronics industry, but this
war is distinctly different than those waged in
courtrooms or even conference centers, as the focal point here isn't a person, company, or even an entity. Pieter Hintjens is rounding up his troops in order to bring about a change that's most improbable: to have the Caps Lock key retired, permanently. Although some of you may chuckle at the idea and deem it unworthy of such an effort, we can imagine Pieter isn't alone in his disdain for the awkward key. Judging solely by the rate at which fellow petitioners are claiming their allegiance on the CAPSoff website, there are indeed an army of haters gaining strength. The group's mission is to awaken the public and get them to seriously think about the precious keyboard real estate that is so unfairly utilized by the (nearly) worthless uppercasing shortcut. Hintjens is a man on a mission, but he's keeping a cool head, and by offering up alternatives that could hopefully appease both camps, some sort of resolution can presumably be found; he has suggested that Caps Lock be relocated beside Scroll Lock, so that Fortran programmers (about the only folks on the planet aside from Nigerian email scammers who use this key with any frequency) can still have access to quick uppercasing. Now that you've been briefed, and you're fully aware of what's at stake, there's really only one question that remains: will you just sit around and gawk, or will you
fight for CAPSoff?
[Via
Slashdot]
posted Aug 17th 2006 3:27AM
Try ctrl+z - it's a shortcut to "undo."
Amen! Not to mention that with Vista's start menu search, that key becomes the easiest way to quickly launch apps
Yea, YOU go teach the whole Intarwebz manner, and WE go ballistic on the CAPS Lock-key.
And what would replace the caps lock? direct porn link button for those who need their porn? this is dumb
Holy cow my happy hacking keyboard has a CAPS LOCK! I never even noticed.... good eye!
Here's an idea (someone's probably already said it but I don't want to read through all 4 pages of comments): just stick and LED on the shift key, and make it so that if you hold down shift for, say, 3 seconds, it automagically turns into caps lock. Small-keyboard supporters get their real estate, and caps lock supporters get all of their uppercase goodness. And if people don't want to have to change the software on the computer, I'm sure it wouldn't be that hard to attach a timer to the shift key and simply have it send a caps lock signal if it's held down.
MacOS X lets you remap the Caps lock key in the Keyboard Preference Pane (along with all the other meta-keys). I have it remapped to Control, so that Control returns to its original and correct position (look at any old UNIX keyboard or even the early Mac keyboard...)
wHY wHOULD aNYONE wANT tO bAN tHE cAPS lOCK kEY?
No! By all means, keep the caps lock key. It doesnt bother me at all. What REALLY bothers me is the damn WINDOW KEY. It is placed right next to control key! Many times I would accidentally press the damn Window key, right when a battle is heating up (I play alot of multiplayer games) and I hit the F*$#ing window key for it crash back to desktop only to have the start menu open up. FOR GOD SAKES WE HAVE A MOUSE NOW A DAYS! I dont need a windows key! I especially dont need two, one on each side! STOP THE MADNESS
i know this article is old, but it was linked from a newer one.
i actually like the windows key. it's especially usefull in Vista. just press the windows key, type the first part of a program name, enter, and you're there.
But if they take my CAPS LOCK key, then how will I be expected to type the names of all the DirectX structs and enums in the future? Taking away the CAPS LOCK key is just foolish. Teach people proper Internet etiquette and the problem is solved.
They're not saying they want it removed from the keyboard, they just want it moved to the other side, since it's not terribly useful where it is.
People who use both hands to type may find the Caps-Lock key useful.
Yeah. It might help with those people who's essence Chris up there so perfectly captured. As someone once said, caps lock isn't cruise control for cool.
I HEARD THAT WINDOWS VISTA WILL HAVE A RIGHT-CLICK MENU ITEM THAT LETS YOU SELECT TEXT AND CHOOSE TO MAKE IT ALL-CAPS, SO IT IS OK WITH ME IF YOU GET RID OF THE KEY ON THE KEYBOARD. BUT I THINK IT SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH A CAPS-UNLOCK KEY JUST IN CASE YOU WANT TO UNDO THAT COMMAND.
another mad idea.. :)
I say keep it. I use it a lot in my work, my company has standards that require all SQL column names to be in uppercase. If you're doing a lengthy statement, the capslock key becomes invaluable.
for wako, the G15 logitech keyboard has a switch to turn this key on and off. i find it useful but in games, i can switch it off so i dont accidentally press it. its fantastic.
as for the article, i think the caps key is fine, proper use is the key, pun intended.
This is not going to fly for people with disabilities or with limited functionality of one hand who cannot hold shift and type at the same time. I find a lot of people do not go through the trouble to figure things like these out and shout loudly things that would leave them behind.
Making a "special needs" keyboard that has a caps lock key is an indifferent argument, that would only raise costs (have you seen how much assistive peripherals are?) and file people with typing issues (carpal tunnel is not uncommon) into a corner.
Read the article. He suggested relocating the key.
The issue is hat the caps lock is a large key that is placed in prime keyboard real estate. That space could be better served with another key. Just move the useless caps key somewhere else.
Disable the Windows Key
http://johnhaller.com/jh/useful_stuff/disable_windows_key/
Disable the Caps Key
http://johnhaller.com/jh/useful_stuff/disable_caps_lock/
WOW, THIS IS SO AWESOME OMG THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER, btw i just typed that with my pinky on shift, F*** the caps lock key, i have never used that in my life, AND OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG, the windows key should DIE, YOUR SO WRITE WAKO, i get so pissed off when im playing FPS and it f***ing goes to the desktop when im playing, i have no complaints about the caps lock key going away, and also they should remove windows key, atleast from left side, idc about it being on the right side, and they should sell more keyboards that are normal and dont have the number pad on them, i have never used the number pad ever in my life, even when im typing long strings of numbers i use the numbers at the top of the letters, its just a habbit, so i want them to sell keyboards totally stripped down but still good ones, i doubt anyone really uses arrow keys and insert,home, pageup that whole 6 keyblock, i doubt anyone uses that either, besides the delete key i dont ever use that, and the arrow keys are now replaced with W,A,S,D, ok im ending my rant now hehe
And also the insert key, damn it!
Oh well. I suppose everyone needs a hobby.
He could have taken up a more noble cause, like AIDS or cancer or MS (my pet cause), but this is definitely *a* cause.
Good luck to ya, Pieter.
I hate the insert key with passion but not the windows key, I've grown to live with it.
I do believe that they should move the caps lock key somewhere else so that way people won't use it so much when typing, I hate seeing stuff on all CAPS too unless it's a title or it's a few words of shouts and/or emphasis.
What I've never grown acostumed to is the varying sizes of letter like: "I lOvE mY dAiLy BlOgGiNgs" or something like that. I always think of it as someone trying to send me a spammed message.
What about Q? I've personally never liked the letter. Can we get rid of that?
CAPSLOCK IS CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL.
Of all the things to campaign about.. this is certainly pretty pointless.
There are lots of users out there entering data into systems and producing documentation. Sometimes they have to enter everything in uppercase, and then the next time they have to enter into the same form in mixed/lower. Reason being they have to rekey the data they have been given "exactly" as given (ie - "letters of credit" required by banks and the like, sometimes the bank wants duplication, others dont), and that sometimes means including spelling errors and case sensitivity. Dumb, but true.
Caps lock has its place, as does every other key on the keyboard. But yes, the best answer here is to be able to map them to do what you would like them to do.
While we're all breaking our keyboards open, it would be really nice to have a status LED for the Insert key. Why shouldn't it have an LED like all the other double function keys on the keyboard? Even the lowly Scroll Lock has one. It's frustrating when you're correcting something only to realize that you've jst ered wat yo tped, and then have to experiment (by typing more) to figure out whether Insert is on or off. Keyboard manufacturer's, please be a winner and put another LED on the board. Or just rewire the Caps Lock one!
unfortunately Desmond, it is not quite as simple as that.
The LED is not mapped from the key itself, but is sent from the computer. Unless you create a whole new specification for user input, no hardware manufacturer will be able to do that.
The good news is: because it is done through the computer, you can probably easily write a script to hijack the LED for other purposes.
and while we're at it, what's with all those bloody 'F' keys? what's all that about? eh?
Check ou a keyboard layout I used to use long time ago on a workstation :
http://store1.yimg.com/I/paulgraham_1911_7824649
That was cool since caps lock was tiny and we had 4 shift keys !! shift / ctrl / meta / super / hyper. Could do plenty of combinations combined with mouse
In Windows 2000 or later you can map Caps Lock to Left Ctrl with a registry key. This is actually pretty useful, once you get used to it, since it is easier to hold the Caps Lock key while pushing an other button. This hack can also be very useful on laptop where the bottom left key is not Ctrl but custom function key.
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlKeyboard Layout]
"Scancode Map"=hex:00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,02,00,00,00,1d,00,3a,00,00,00,00,00
Taken from http://www.vim.org/tips/tip.php?tip_id=75
Why not just get rid of the keyboard altogether? Why can't we just TALK things through?
What about people that need to use the capslock because they write checks and invoices all day that need everything to be in caps. This article should be, "Idiot starts website to gain attention" ...oh wait. Those are called blogs these days.
Loving my happy hacking keyboard right about now :D
I think I can still press caps lock *looks around* oh there it is, Fn+Tab.. sweet. People need to be putting the Ctrl key back where it belongs, the unix position!
replace caps with Ctrl and emacs users everywhere will rejoice!
just when I taught my pet chicken to peck 'OMGWTF'. damn.
Totally agree. I have popped out the Caps Lock key on my keyboard for years now, it's the most annoying thing. And modern Fortran compilers admit lowercase commands. BAN THE CAPS LOCK KEY!!! And if not, I think it's a good idea to exile it next to Scroll Lock where it can be used but cannot be hit accidentally.
Is there a really a capsoff website? Any idea of the URL? (I used Shift for URL)
ROFLMFAO!!!1111
Can someone enlighten me? whats the Windows Key?
The satanic key... err I mean, the windows key is the F*&$ing key between the control key and the alt key. It is the bane of my existence if not the world. George Bush should have waged a war against the Windows key on my keyboard.
NOOOOOO!!! (written with shift) But if they get rid of the caps lock key, how will I enter the "commander" window in BF2?! I will have to assign it to another, less easily accessible key!
...meh, I don't use the caps lock key much, but it does come in handy every once in a while. I agree that the left windows key should be banished, as well as scroll lock, and the insert key, but not the caps lock key. Maybe just make a virus that checks if people type things in all caps, especially emails, blogs and instant messages, and then crashes their computer/formats their hard drive(s)/disables any and all upper case letters, or even the whole keyboard. I know someone who gets more people who seem to love their caps lock key than anyone else, and his name is maddox (www.thebestwebpageintheuniverse.net). I'm sure he'd sign the petition.
http://www.cisp.com/enews/myvine/july04/windowskey.jpg
THIS KEY IS MY NEMESIS
What a load of CAPSLOCK!
I've used the capslock to capitalise for the last 13 years, and moving it would screw me up good and proper. Why can't they just buy a different keyboard!?!?!
If they're worried about that key, what about the fact that QWERTY isn't the most efficient layout of keys? Surely that's a more interesting issue...
Long live DVORAK!
For the anti-windows key crowd, try:
Win+E
Win+R
Win+D
Win+U
Win+D
Win+F
Win+L
Just using it for the start menu is for n00bs.
Caps lock on the other hand can sod off.
xbird: Have you not heard of sticky keys? (not the kind you get after making use of Safari's 'Private Browsing' mode)
What annoys me about the key is that if you do accidentally whack it on, you can't use it or the shift key to lowercase the text by selecting it and pressing the key again.
Hmm there's meant to be a Win+M in there somewhere. I suck.
By all means get rid of the Caps Lock key - but the Windows key does have its uses. I, having somehow accidentally got rid of the "show desktop" button in the start bar, frequently use Windows+M or Windows+D to minimise all windows or show the desktop respectively (they amount to the same thing as far as I can tell).
True CK, there is obviously alot more the Windows key can do. However the placement of it, in games makes it one hell of an irritating key. Ever played any FPS games? Crouch is right next to it! I try to crouch and I miss the control key and suddenly Im looking at my F*@#ING desktop.
Ok you know what stop with the Nigerian hating, no offense but we're not the only freaking country or nationality that does scams, maybe the most publicized but definitely not the only one. Seriously like the everyone from every other country is saint or something.
what a complete tosser. I make good use of the caps lock key. Perhaps he should make his own keyboard without a caps lock key and leave everyone else in peace.
CAPS off DANCE off!
Of course you could just all use Linux and then you can reprogramme all the keys to whatever you want. I have the left win key minimising all the windows. This is better cos it is faster than Win+D. The right win key is used to set the screen saver. Try it!
Well - this is certainly an emotive issue. As I work in an environment dripping with acronyms, which require to be placed in capitals, I like the key. I also frequently use insert, you may notice a q or two in this comment, love the windows key and absolutely most of all love the right hand windows key. I use these loads, the windows key most often now as part of a short cut system (such as windows-S for a OneNote screen clipping etc.) and the right one loads. I may have a mouse, but when my ten fingers are a-tapping then having easy access to these keys is fantastic.
As for the gamers: allowing the reprogramming of these keys is probably the best thing. Surely they've got enough resources to get themselves joysticks, steering weeks or PS2-type controllers rather than annoying those of us who actually use our extensive keybooards?!
I don't object to the caps lock key getting smaller, however. But the point is very valid about one handed typing (which I do fairly often when holding document, cup of coffee, telephone etc.) especially for the disabled.
it seems that many commenters here haven't read the whole article or just don't get it.
the article does not say that this guy wants to ban the caps-key altogether. he suggests to remap it aside the scroll lock key, i.e. a place where most users would less likely hit it by accident. so the real annoyance here is the "activation by accident due to its position on the keyboard", especially since the caps-key is used so little by the majority of computer users.
geez... just calm down and read the whole thing.
They should really get rid of the 10-key, or at least make it optional. That would bring the mouse closer to the keyboard, making more sense ergonomically. They should also stop adding all those useless "Multimedia" keys, and instead focus on making the F# keys more useful. Most people don't even use all 101 keys on the keyboard, so adding more useless buttons just wastes desktop real estate.
Caplock is used in Photoshop to toggle between Precise and Iconic brush cursors.
And a very useful toggle it is :>
Heck, no! I want all the keys right where they are. When I have to do some data entry at work, it all has to be in upper case. Are you trying to make me hold down shift all day long? And I use the 10-key pad constantly also. I couldn't tell you the last time I've typed a number on the upper number keys. The 10-key is just so much faster. And finally, when I'm forced to use Windows, I use the Win+E and Win+D combos constantly, not to mention using it to navigate the start menu. The less I have to take my hands off the keyboard, the better.
I guess I'm just old-school. I remember buying my first mouse for $60 and taking it back because Windows 3.0 wouldn't recognize it. I've been a keyboard man my whole life!
If you're using a laptop with an azerty keyboard, and you're typing lots of numbers (like autocad), capslock is a lifesaver!
I'd say map the @ symbol to it... I flick between windows and osx on my laptop... and it is just as much a pain having to press shift and then 2 to get an @, as it is to keep accidentally hitting caps lock
I agree with the guy. He writes: "...move all the wierd keys - like Num Lock - up to the top row...", and that would be the right thing to do. MOST PEOPLE DON"T TYPE IN CAPS!
Alright look KEEP YOUR SODING MITS OFF MY KEYBOARD.
I work in drafting and have to type all day in cap on drawings and then quicky switch for emails. These guys should just remap THEIR keyboard if they don't like it
Also they should put there money where their mouth is and start a company to sell that are CAPSOFF or CAPSMOVED.
Remap the capslock key. Ban the left windows key.
I always remove my caps lock key (and throw it away) for any keyboard I get at work.
On the laptop at home, I just remap the caps lock key to the windows key (on a Tecra S1 this kills 2 birds with one stone)
Look, it's simple... What you need is one of these...
http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/
I only ever use the CAPS lock, i didnt know so many people didnt..
the phrase "GET A LIFE" springs to mind. Who cares? It is useful for data entry sometimes tho... eg UK postcodes
wow, this is RETARDED. I used the caps lock to type that. You know why? Because I have the logic and intelligence to utilize all tools which are given to me in order to maximize efficieny. IT'S ALSO USEFUL WHEN YELLING AT DONKEYS AND N00BS.
A few days ago (before you declared that war) I put out my CAPS-LOCK and banned it into ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280017433881
auction is not yet finished.
im all for this shit.
(nice to see that other people declared a war against CAPS LOCK, too.. )
i think, remioving is the best solution.
when will keyboard manufacturers start to produce keyboards without that suckin' key?
Why dont they just make Caps Lock a software thing, I've lost track of the times I have written a document only to find that I had somehow nudged the Caps Lock on and my entire document is ruined. You can probably do it now but previously there was no simple way to change all the text back to non-caps.
Whats the key for anyhow?
Hate the caps lock key. Nothing is more annoying than accidentaly hitting it when typing.
Standard practice for me is to lever something under it and watch it fly across the room never to return. My boss hates that I "wreck" his keyboards but I see it as an improvement.
EaterOfZombiesAndCake - you call 2 keypresses instead of 1 "efficieny" LOL
I think pedals would be a good idea.
You could plug in a set of three usb pedals and use them for shift and cmd-click and stuff.
That would be ace.
Hasn't anyone ever thought of having a "foot-board" ? Imagine having 2 or 3 pedals under your foot which would trigger Shift, Control, etc.
Just imagine the increase in speed. Every '?', '@', etc would become a one-press character !
(And you would have caps-lock just by keeping your foot down)
This is never going to happen.
And even if it did, what would they do with the extra real estate? It would have to be another key, because shifting the qwerty keys in any manner is going to piss off the touch-typists.
Besides, who'd hit the caps lock key on accident? You'd have to have morbidly obese sausages of fingers.
I wrote this on Slashdot when this same story was posted there...
My wife is a nurse. She has to enter all of her medication orders in caps. If she doesn't, the orders go unfilled, and her patients get no medication.
This is what you guys want?
Some of you seem to have no life experience at all beyond chatting with teenagers on blogs and social networking sites.
Wow, Wolfsoap, were you reading above my shoulder when I wrote my comment ? Scary...
I always set up my start menus in order to start frequently used programs with keys instead of the mouse... eg. Win-POW (Programs, Office, Word) Win-PII(Programs-Internet-Internet explorer), Win-PIM (messenger) etc... Try it and see how much quicker it is than finding the mouse cursor, getting it to the corner, and so on... Of course to do this you have to sort out the Start menu every so often but it's worth it... (and get rid of the USELESS "Microsoft Office" tag on all Office programs)
(Oh, I always disable the Caps Lock key from the registry. That's why I was pleased to see this article!)
First AOL fires 5k people, then AOL releases search terms. If you remove the caps lock they'll have no way to type.
I love the Caps Lock key. It should stay right where it is. I use it with frequency, but I do not always use it. In other words, I don't simply activate it and leave it on. There are many times when I want it on, and many times when I want it off. Therefore, it should be in a location where access is easy.
The key that should be eliminated is the one to the immediate left of the right-side Ctrl key. I am not even sure what its named, but I am very sure that I NEVER use it.
Okay, forgetting all the "hilarious" comments left so far, I have a legitimate reason to require the caps lock key.
Our primary application at my office (ERP software) requires everything entered to be ALL CAPS. It is an upgraded version of 20+ year old legacy software (read: Jurassic software), and all data entered in the last 20+ years was UPPER CASE. Because of this, our newest version is also in UC, and I NEED to have the UC key.
Thanks for the "help" on trying to eliminate the key. While you're at it, why not delete the "q" key, it's hardly ever used.
Thanks anyway.
Thx to Cherry, the drivers for my solar powered Keyboard offers me to disable the capslock key :)
As an architect I use the caps lock for most of the day doing construction documents. Choke on a mule caps haters.
Anyone doing CAD work in an engineering field requires the caps lock key too, not just those silly Nigerians. All text on our drawings is in caps.
Why you trying to hold a man down? Sure the CAPS lock key is under utilized... and maybe he only helps out a few people (including me as an architect, he's a lifesave) now that he is getting on in age (i hear he's pass 300 yrs old). But the guy has been around forever. Don't take him down just cuz he's a little crotchity (spelling? word?) and gets in your way from time to time. you'll be old one day too, and people may want to take you out. So set your cosmic Karma now and praise the poor old key and the service he has provided throughout his lifetime. Don't focus on just the recent events. Hell, we might not all be here if it wasn't for the CAPS lock... or at the very least we would have screwy looking pinky fingers from holding down shift.
I don't have time to read the 8000 comments, but 90% of the software I work with at my job (telecom) requires caps lock.
the key we should get removed is the F1 key. who uses help anyway? i keep hitting it instead of the ESC key.
CK pointed out exactly why I like the Windows key. I'm a developer for a software company. Have you ever tried remoting into a client site only to find your mouse clicks get through only about 10% of the time? The Windows key combinations tend to work almost all the time. If you hate the Windows key just because you don't know how to use a Windows keyboard, then buy a PLAIN keyboard (one without the Windows-specific keys).
Also, as many have pointed out, the Caps Lock has its place especially in data entry. Just because a large number of people don't use it doesn't mean there isn't another group of people that does. Get used to your friggin' keyboard, people! It's been designed in the same way for A LONG TIME NOW! I have only accidentally hit the Windows key a couple of times -- and that was with my palm, not from reaching for CTRL or ALT!
Yeah....I agree...remove all those keys
Remove CAPS Lock as few use it (even though I use it....hmmmm)
Remove Backspace - use Delete
Remove Windows key
Remove Right-Click Key
Remove NumLock (very few use it)
Remove Pause/Break key
No need for two Shift and two CTRL and two Alt keys
In the name of the holy cow......we remove those keys...then as they say above....we can save precious keyboard real estate.
If you are still guessing on what I mean....its simple....CAPSoff website and the ppl maintaining it (Pieter Hintjens et al) are nuts....kick them out.
I have nothing against caps lock..but as someone said before...stupid insert key!! What i love about my logitech keyboard is that in place of the insert key (which is moved to where you would the Fn keys) is a double size delete key...ultra useful
Now please someone help me on this one...Scroll Lock...does anyone use it? And well the pause/break key for me is useless (unless its a programing interupt thingie); although with SNES9x it pauses the program lol :D
I use Caps Lock everyday at my job. In the Engineering field all text on drawings is typically displayed in CAPS but in general correspondence I toggle back to normal.
this is obviously another Karl Rove right-wing campaign to control (ala 1984) the moderates. %$#@ REPUBLICANS
Most of the systems I use at work required all caps input. Yeah, they're kinda old but they get the job done very well. We'd be lost without the caps lock.
This has got to be the dumbest thing ever. I can't believe that I actually care. I use the caps lock key everyday at work because I have to type in all caps for the plans that I draw.
If the caps key dissapears I will have to type some pretty lengthy notes and other random shit with one hand so the other can hold down shift. How dumb is that?
WHAT AN IDIOT, I CANT BELIEVE I WASTED MY TIME READING THIS POST AND TYPING THIS RESPONE, WELL AT LEAST THE CAPSLOCK KEY SAVED ME SOME TIME WRITTING THIS FLAME.
ever since the DEC vt100 layout was displaced by the vt220 layout, the CAPS LOCK key has indeed been in the wrong place.
I own two Northgate Omnikey ultra keyboards that allow the remapping in hardware, with a special keycap removal tool and 8 dip switches build in to the keyboard.
Nowadays, you should be able to double-click the ctrl-key, and have it toggle caps-lock (which modern keybnoards have an indicator for).
Seriously, instead banning on a keyboard layout, the guy should just start his own keyboard company. Northgate has been out of business for 10+ years now,
and I know mine are going to break soon.
I love the Windows key. I use it all the time. I can't believe people are complaing about it.
And, insert should definitely have an on/off LED. That's brilliant. Why has no one done that yet?
As for Caps Lock, yeah, it's really friggin' annoying when people type in caps all the time. Even in this very thread, people think they're being good by only typing the words "Caps" and "Lock" in all caps, and they're probably only using Shift to do it, but nonetheless, look at the damn key. It isn't labeled in all caps; there's no reason to type it "CAPS LOCK" and yet people do it anyway. Obviously, the root of the problem has nothing to do with the existance of the key.
In short, PEBKAC.