Why the caps lock key is not redundant

[harishankar]

Many people seem to believe that the caps lock on most keyboards is redundant. But actually as a lawyer, I have need for it. On many documents that I type I need to type certain sentences in all caps and holding down Shift would be incredibly hard. I am sure there are other documentation work where some kinds of words or sentences would need to be in all caps. An example of such usage would be defined terms in contracts. Such defined terms are traditionally written in all-capital letters to separate them from normal terms.

So yes, there still are uses for the caps lock key. It's a bit strange that some people want to abolish it or at least re-map it on keyboards, forgetting that the primary purpose of keyboards (and typewriters earlier) is to perform text entry and that text sometimes need to be in all-caps in certain contexts.

[foxer]

Even if I type for tons of paragraphs using caps, I'd still just hold shift. I'm just used to holding it now. I much prefer it as a 3rd control key.

[CPTBadAss]

For the engineering drawings I create, *all* of the text on them is in all caps lock. I use the Caps Lock key at work multiple times a day. Remapping it elsewhere is a definitely no-no for me.

[harishankar]

Even if I type for tons of paragraphs using caps, I'd still just hold shift. I'm just used to holding it now. I much prefer it as a 3rd control key.

But why??? Not only would would it slow you down and it would be a strain on your finger... have you actually tried entering a paragraph of text in all caps without using the caps lock?

[Kliee]

My guessing is that it is the same reason why a lot among us need a palm rest and lighter switches. And that is : people are no longer taught how to use a keyboard efficiently.
That includes me, I need a palm rest to have a decent finger position on top of the keys.

I know a few people who actually learned touch-typing and they make a good usage of both possibilities (Caps Lock and Shift). And that's way more efficient!

Writting in Caps lock allows you to still access the numbers, making some sentences way easier to type. Writing a full capitalized sentence while holding shift is equivalent to writing a lowercase sentence with Caps lock on while holding Shift.

Even if writting full capitalized sentences happends not that often, it's still more movements/less natural for the hands when using shift instead of Caps Lock.

[JinDesu]

Why not make shift a double duty button? Double shift = caps lock? Freeing caps to be something else?

[hoggy]

Or use caps lock as Ctrl when used in conjunction with another key, and plain caps lock when used by itself.

[JPG]

First, not everyone use the keyboard the same way. Following this way of thinking, I think that it's a good idea to put the caps lock key on a traditional keyboard, but I consider that all keyboards should be able to remap every key to the users need.


As for me, I have virtually no need for the caps lock key, so I remap it to a function key and it suits me much better. If I need to put a lot of text in capitalization, I select the text and hit CTRL-SHIFT-U and in many programs it will put it all in capitalization.


In the end, the debate should not be if the caps lock key is useful or not, it should be: Why ain't all keyboards fully programmable at this age. For mass produced keyboards, it would cost so few. It's even more flagrant for the mechanical keyboards that cost quite more anyway.

[cookie]

For the prominent position of capslock, this key is probbalby the most underused and overrated key of all.
This key should always be remapped to something usefull, ctrl e.g.

Toggeling Capslock via funktion layer is the smartest solution for me, HHKB solved this problem verry nice!

I barely use this, only if I write constants in Java or derping around in our database... there was a time when we used to type tables and attributes in capslock

[nickr]

But actually as a lawyer

This is, by far, the most surprising part of your post.

My wife uses the caps lock key extensively too.  It has nothing to do with her job -- she just picked up bad habits in her youth

[harishankar]

But actually as a lawyer

This is, by far, the most surprising part of your post.

My wife uses the caps lock key extensively too.  It has nothing to do with her job -- she just picked up bad habits in her youth

I use the caps lock in certain context. In many legal documents, one tends to use defined terms and using the capitalized form of the word in documents is the most traditional and obvious way to signify them in those contexts. I think that using the shift key for anything other than capitalizing a couple of letters at a stretch is too cumbersome.

That was why I mentioned my profession. I am sure there are other typing contexts in which the Caps Lock would be useful. Also the other ideas on how to achieve caps lock functionality without the key, I agree with them, but would there then it would have to be a standardized way to do it.

I would have thought that the most underuttilized key in modern operating systems would be the Scroll Lock.

[tuffy]

I don't make any significant use of the caps lock key and that piece of keyboard real-estate is too valuable to leave to a key I hardly ever use.  So for me it makes perfect sense to remap it to the control key, since I use control sequences all the time.

[Folio]

Lotta new people in this thread. Welcome!

I use caps lock when I code. But I admit sometimes I just hold shift down because it's faster.

[Jixr]

I need it and like it where it is.

All my engineering and architectural work is always done in caps, and going between writing emails, checking GH, and working, I use it quite often.

Though I've remapped my num lock to always be on, and for the keyboard key to act as a backspace,which is awesome when you type in numbers all day long.

( ever since I've used a computer, i've always had the numlock on. )

[nickr]

My wife uses the caps lock key extensively too.  It has nothing to do with her job -- she just picked up bad habits in her youth

I use the caps lock in certain context. In many legal documents, one tends to use defined terms and using the capitalized form of the word in documents is the most traditional and obvious way to signify them in those contexts. I think that using the shift key for anything other than capitalizing a couple of letters at a stretch is too cumbersome.

That was why I mentioned my profession. I am sure there are other typing contexts in which the Caps Lock would be useful. Also the other ideas on how to achieve caps lock functionality without the key, I agree with them, but would there then it would have to be a standardized way to do it.

I would have thought that the most underuttilized key in modern operating systems would be the Scroll Lock.

I'm just giving you a hard time.  It's nice to a see someone from a non-tech field weigh in, even if you are a lawyer 

But I don't think you really have anything to worry about as far as the Caps Lock being removed, unless you want some odd, custom board or an overpriced HHKB (that's right, I said it!), which just moves it up a key and to the function layer.

[Skull_Angel]

I tossed Caps Lock for another shift since my main use on this PC is gaming; everyone knows CAPSISCRUISECONTROLFORCOOL.

[CK Briefs]

I still utilise the caps lock at work when I have to insert record locators and the such. Although at home, I rarely use caps lock except for the sole purpose of spamming or raging (jk) at baddy kids in league :s

[gropingmantis]

No. If you need to type all caps a Shift Lock is still a more useful key. Caps Lock is a worthless addition in the place of a decent key lock.

[katushkin]

I TEND TO TYPE PRETTY STRANGELY< SO I DON@T ACTUALLY USE MY LEFT LITTLE FINGER FOR THAT MUCH< THEREFORE IT ISN@T THAT HARD TO HOLD IT DOWN WHEN I@M TYPING WHOLE SENTENCES> HOWEVER< WHEN USING CORRECT PUNCTUATION< IT IS ANNOYING TRYING TO RELEASE THE SHIFT KEY WHENEVER YOU WANT TO PUT SOME IN< AND THEREFORE I THINK THE CAPS LOCK IS STILL A WORTHY EDITION TO THE MODERN KEYBOARD>

[pbtforever]

IT IS WAY OVERUSED

[Oobly]

microsoft windows knows. Ironic that his name is all lowercase, but I guess that just emphasises that his board CAN actually do lowercase, so he must use Caps Lock.

[LouisHjelmslev]

Personally I find myself using the caps lock regularly enough to warrant it existing, however it does take prime position. So in my book, eradication is not the answer, just some swapping

[Xowie]

Many people seem to believe that the caps lock on most keyboards is redundant. But actually as a lawyer, I have need for it. On many documents that I type I need to type certain sentences in all caps and holding down Shift would be incredibly hard. I am sure there are other documentation work where some kinds of words or sentences would need to be in all caps. An example of such usage would be defined terms in contracts. Such defined terms are traditionally written in all-capital letters to separate them from normal terms.

So yes, there still are uses for the caps lock key. It's a bit strange that some people want to abolish it or at least re-map it on keyboards, forgetting that the primary purpose of keyboards (and typewriters earlier) is to perform text entry and that text sometimes need to be in all-caps in certain contexts.

I am not too sure that anyone would disagree that there are niche uses for caps lock. I do think that for the majority of people though, it is used so infrequently that it can be demoted to another spot on the board.

[jacobolus]

The problem is not that caps lock is redundant. The problem is that it introduces a “mode”; the effects of your typing depends on past action, in a way that is easy to forget (and no, a little LED somewhere is not sufficient). This leads to mistakes and confusion, and adds cognitive overhead.

For an extended explanation of the problem of modes, including in keyboard commands, see Jef Raskin’s book The Humane Interface.

If you want to type an extended amount of text in uppercase, it would be better to, e.g., put “shift” on a thumb key (so that all other letters can be typed easily while holding it) or a foot switch, or something.

Or, what I do is just use a text editor with a keyboard shortcut for making text uppercase; so then just type a word / paragraph / whatever and then invoke the appropriate “uppercase” function after the fact.

[rowdy]

Our company policy for source code is that all SQL statements must be in all uppercase.

That's about the only time I use caps lock these days.

[Frenir]

Our company policy for source code is that all SQL statements must be in all uppercase.

That's about the only time I use caps lock these days.

does that include row and table-names ?

[rowdy]

Our company policy for source code is that all SQL statements must be in all uppercase.

That's about the only time I use caps lock these days.

does that include row and table-names ?

Yes.

Especially for SQL Server, as it allows you to create upper and lower case names, but treats them as case-insensitive EXCEPT when you extract a list of table names.  Then the lowercase ones appear at the end of the list, and so many times someone has thought a table is missing when it really appears at the end of the list in lowercase.

[Frenir]

Our company policy for source code is that all SQL statements must be in all uppercase.

That's about the only time I use caps lock these days.

does that include row and table-names ?

Yes.

Especially for SQL Server, as it allows you to create upper and lower case names, but treats them as case-insensitive EXCEPT when you extract a list of table names.  Then the lowercase ones appear at the end of the list, and so many times someone has thought a table is missing when it really appears at the end of the list in lowercase.

Hmm interesting, I imagine that it must be quite a pain to read.

[noisyturtle]

Even if I type for tons of paragraphs using caps, I'd still just hold shift.

That's crazy. That's something a crazy person would do.

[Frenir]

Even if I type for tons of paragraphs using caps, I'd still just hold shift.

That's crazy. That's something a crazy person would do.

I tend to do the same thing 

[HPE1000]

Just put a cherry mx lock switch on the shift key, simple as that. 

[Folio]

Just put a cherry mx lock switch on the shift key, simple as that. 

That'd be cool, but then I'd have to press it twice every time I shift at the beginning of a sentence or type "I" or I'm. It'd mess up my SPEED

[rowdy]

Our company policy for source code is that all SQL statements must be in all uppercase.

That's about the only time I use caps lock these days.

does that include row and table-names ?

Yes.

Especially for SQL Server, as it allows you to create upper and lower case names, but treats them as case-insensitive EXCEPT when you extract a list of table names.  Then the lowercase ones appear at the end of the list, and so many times someone has thought a table is missing when it really appears at the end of the list in lowercase.

Hmm interesting, I imagine that it must be quite a pain to read.

Not really - the SQL statements stand out quite well.

[HPE1000]

Just put a cherry mx lock switch on the shift key, simple as that. 

That'd be cool, but then I'd have to press it twice every time I shift at the beginning of a sentence or type "I" or I'm. It'd mess up my SPEED

I guess I wasn't thinking, that would be a terrible idea XD

[Findecanor]

Even if I type for tons of paragraphs using caps, I'd still just hold shift. I'm just used to holding it now. I much prefer it as a 3rd control key.

You can't do proper touch typing then, according to the method. If you did, you would use the opposite hand for Shift to the hand that types the letter.

I don't do that either. Left pinky on Shift almost only. My left hand homes with index finger on D, not F.

[Dubsgalore]

Love caps lock, use it plenty on skype and while chatting someone

[rowdy]

Just put a cherry mx lock switch on the shift key, simple as that. 

That'd be cool, but then I'd have to press it twice every time I shift at the beginning of a sentence or type "I" or I'm. It'd mess up my SPEED

I guess I wasn't thinking, that would be a terrible idea XD

Sean Wrona says "I recommend using caps lock instead of shift to type capital letters to allow more flexibility in the hand that you would normally use shift with."

[thestage]

as an obnoxious internet person, I often find myself typing entire sentences or pseudo-sentences in caps.  I always just hold down shift.

[mouse.the.lucky.dog]

As someone pointed out for many capital letters at once, you should use the CAPS LOCK because when you type proper touch typing you should use the hand opposite the letter to hold the SHIFT key.  Do that for a while and it really slows down your typing speed. The original reason for a CAPS LOCK though was simpler:
SHIFT raised the platten. Holding up the platten would get tiring after a while.

In olden days, on mechanical tytpewritters the CAPS LOCK key was above the SHIFT key. because it used a mechanism which would push down the SHIFT key and hold it in place. You rarely pressed the CAPS LOCK to release it. You pressed the SHIFT key. Secretaries mostly used typeewriters. Technicians and engineers tended to use terminal and teleype machines. There the CONTROL key was next to the A. Of course on a lot of such keyboards. there were not even lower case keys [1], so really no need for CAPS LOCK.

Most early computer keyboards tended to follow the teletype/terminal layout--except they added lower case-- until IBM came out with the "IBM PC". I think IBM wanted a layout familiar to office workers who used tyopewriters more.


Me I swap left CNTL and CAPS LOCK.

[1] In those old days when we used FORTRAN and COBOL because lower case letters were not yet invented.



 

[nrd]

I've remapped my CapsLock to  have four layers:

• CapsLock → Backspace (delete single character to the left)
• Alt+CapsLock → Delete (delete single character to the right)
• Shift+CapsLock → (delete current word)
• Ctrl+CapsLock → actual CapsLock toggle

I ♡ CapsLock  ;D

[nuclearsandwich]

Many people seem to believe that the caps lock on most keyboards is redundant. But actually as a lawyer, I have need for it. On many documents that I type I need to type certain sentences in all caps and holding down Shift would be incredibly hard. I am sure there are other documentation work where some kinds of words or sentences would need to be in all caps. An example of such usage would be defined terms in contracts. Such defined terms are traditionally written in all-capital letters to separate them from normal terms.

So yes, there still are uses for the caps lock key. It's a bit strange that some people want to abolish it or at least re-map it on keyboards, forgetting that the primary purpose of keyboards (and typewriters earlier) is to perform text entry and that text sometimes need to be in all-caps in certain contexts.

Isn't it easier just to teach your editor what text should be all caps?

\textsc{} 4 lyfe.

[phoenix1234]

The answer is very simple. It is because our elder member, Mr Microsoft Windows always prefers using it. 
http://geekhack.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1912

Therefore, Cap locks key is never redundant.

[whiskytango]

You know, the sovereign citizen movement says that spelling your name in all caps means you are an artificial person, like a corporation, and you have no rights. I doubt they approve of the caps lock key.

More of this lunacy here

OP, I use caps lock for the same reason as you, although I use it mostly when editing the style of the case at the top of motions and such. The thing that sucks is that Word does not spellcheck words in all caps, and it is quite embarrassing when you realize you have filed something with the court with a misspelling.

If you have some time to kill and want your head to explode possibly, google the sovereign citizens and watch some of their videos. This guy this guy is my favorite nutjob

[jdcarpe]

For the engineering drawings I create, *all* of the text on them is in all caps lock. I use the Caps Lock key at work multiple times a day. Remapping it elsewhere is a definitely no-no for me.

Yep, same for me. All caps for CAD drawings, so it's definitely a necessity for me at work.

[Oobly]

The problem is not that caps lock is redundant. The problem is that it introduces a “mode”; the effects of your typing depends on past action, in a way that is easy to forget (and no, a little LED somewhere is not sufficient). This leads to mistakes and confusion, and adds cognitive overhead.

For an extended explanation of the problem of modes, including in keyboard commands, see Jef Raskin’s book The Humane Interface.

If you want to type an extended amount of text in uppercase, it would be better to, e.g., put “shift” on a thumb key (so that all other letters can be typed easily while holding it) or a foot switch, or something.

Or, what I do is just use a text editor with a keyboard shortcut for making text uppercase; so then just type a word / paragraph / whatever and then invoke the appropriate “uppercase” function after the fact.

^^This... Thumb keys rock.

[chispito]

Toggeling Capslock via funktion layer is the smartest solution for me, HHKB solved this problem verry nice!

I didn't realize the HHKB did this, and it so happens that's how my Frosty Flaked QFR now handles caps. Caps Lock is my layer 2 modifier, but if I hold the function (layer 1 mod) and press capslock, it engages or disengages caps lock normally (while still giving me access to layer 2 if I want). It's very convenient.

[davkol]

inb4 people implement the uppercase function in their text-editing UI components.

...oops, jacobolus already mentioned it. Thumbs up.

[BucklingSpring]

Why not make shift a double duty button? Double shift = caps lock? Freeing caps to be something else?

Exactly what I was thinking too. This is probably the most intuitive way to find a better use for the CAPS LOCK space without loosing the function.

[rowdy]

Why not make shift a double duty button? Double shift = caps lock? Freeing caps to be something else?

Exactly what I was thinking too. This is probably the most intuitive way to find a better use for the CAPS LOCK space without loosing the function.

Maybe because Apple probably has a patent on it for the iOS onscreen keyboard.