PSA: Stop printing caps lock on keycaps

[VimLover]

Whenever I see a cap set with a printed caps lock key with no alternatives, I instantly cross that off my to buy list. For instance, the Massdrop Matt3o MT3 /dev/tty set is supposed to be a throwback set, and yet they show their complete ignorance of Unix history by adding that terrible caps lock button. Look at this fine example of a top tier keyboard:

http://ergoemacs.org/emacs/i/lmi_lambda_space_cadet_keyboard_b270d.jpg

This is a keyboard a true blue hacker would use. Caps lock is relegated to a tiny 1u key in the very far corner, exactly as it should be. Now let's take a look at another example of a true Unix board:

https://dave.cheney.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Screen-Shot-2017-08-21-at-14.15.25-1024x420.png

All the pertinent keys easily within reach.

It isn't that caps lock is completely useless. I mean, sometimes I need to say something shouty or type out a really long preprocessor constant. It's that the normal location for caps lock is a primo spot that should either be reserved for control or escape depending on whether you use emacs or vim. Caps lock just needs to go somewhere else, maybe a dip switch on the back of the board.

In summary, please stop perpetuating the greatest keyboard mistake in history. Get caps lock off of sets so we can all reach our true peak productivity.

[Gampela]

I too hate the nowdays "standard" placement of caps lock key but isn't 1.75u control key pretty much always included in the basekit?

[Findecanor]

A stepped Control key is not often included in the base kit.

[TheAutoManCan]

Virtually every GB set from the past 2-3 years included a 1.75u Control key option, and most extended-support retail sets do as well. Granite from PMK includes a 1.25u Caps Lock option, iirc. But, GB runners dropping support for the standard 1.75u Caps Lock key will not somehow result in the modern keyboard layout changing. People who care about their keyboard layouts and having correct legends are but a drop in the global bucket.

[rxc92]

Caring about the actual words printed on the keycaps is such a QWERTY move. Alternate layout gang 

[Sintpinty]

Whenever I see a cap set with a printed caps lock key with no alternatives, I instantly cross that off my to buy list. For instance, the Massdrop Matt3o MT3 /dev/tty set is supposed to be a throwback set, and yet they show their complete ignorance of Unix history by adding that terrible caps lock button. Look at this fine example of a top tier keyboard:

http://ergoemacs.org/emacs/i/lmi_lambda_space_cadet_keyboard_b270d.jpg

This is a keyboard a true blue hacker would use. Caps lock is relegated to a tiny 1u key in the very far corner, exactly as it should be. Now let's take a look at another example of a true Unix board:

https://dave.cheney.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Screen-Shot-2017-08-21-at-14.15.25-1024x420.png

All the pertinent keys easily within reach.

It isn't that caps lock is completely useless. I mean, sometimes I need to say something shouty or type out a really long preprocessor constant. It's that the normal location for caps lock is a primo spot that should either be reserved for control or escape depending on whether you use emacs or vim. Caps lock just needs to go somewhere else, maybe a dip switch on the back of the board.

In summary, please stop perpetuating the greatest keyboard mistake in history. Get caps lock off of sets so we can all reach our true peak productivity.

THUMP

[Sifo]

stop printing anything on keycaps

BLANKS 4 LYF

[Kevadu]

....they show their complete ignorance of Unix history...

...Look at this fine example of a top tier keyboard:

http://ergoemacs.org/emacs/i/lmi_lambda_space_cadet_keyboard_b270d.jpg

Unix history...show a LISP machine.  You know those weren't Unix, right?  Who's shows his ignorance now?   

Am I being anal by pointing that out?  Maybe.  But then so is this whole thread.

[VimLover]

....they show their complete ignorance of Unix history...

...Look at this fine example of a top tier keyboard:

http://ergoemacs.org/emacs/i/lmi_lambda_space_cadet_keyboard_b270d.jpg

Unix history...show a LISP machine.  You know those weren't Unix, right?  Who's shows his ignorance now?   

Am I being anal by pointing that out?  Maybe.  But then so is this whole thread.

That's why I qualified the second board as a true Unix board. You are indeed correct, Stallman is writing a cease and desist letter as we speak demanding that I make it clear that the FSF is in no way in cahoots with those pointy eared Unix types. After all, GNU's Not Unix.

stop printing anything on keycaps

BLANKS 4 LYF

This is the other acceptable answer. Why must we confine ourselves with printed legends when a true artist memorizes their layout of the week like a savant solving 40 rubix cubes blindfolded.

[_rubik]

This rant might be bordering on "unpopular opinion" territory, but I've always wondered why we've stalled in this caps-lock rut. There's just been a lull in the innovation of commercially available machines. We've accepted stock ANSI as the truth.

Maybe people use caps-lock more frequently than I imagine or maybe it's that we can't reach a consensus on what to replace it with, but I don't understand why AAA companies are cool with filling such prime real estate with that under-utilized key.

[Coreda]

Look at this fine example of a top tier keyboard:

http://ergoemacs.org/emacs/i/lmi_lambda_space_cadet_keyboard_b270d.jpg

Hyper, Super, Meta, AND dedicated like/dislike keys. Truly ahead of its time.

[jacethesaltsculptor]

I would love to see Hyper, super, and meta-keys come back for use as different layers, or macro buttons.

But I do love having tons of extra buttons, even if I'm not using them all.