The 'Caps Lock' Key.

Hip Priest · 08.18.2006, 08:27 AM

From New Scientists Technology Blog.

There's no denying the caps lock key can be a pain. How often have you accidentally found yoUR TYPING ALL UPPER-CAse because you accidentally pressed it? Or been locked out of your computer because Caps Lock keeps messing with your password?

For Pieter Hintjens, CEO of Belgian software company iMatrix such annoyances have driven him too far. And now he's on a mission to get computer makers everywhere to remove the damned thing from keyboards altogether.

Hintjens announced his campaign to kill off Caps Lock on the nerd-herding site Slashdot yesterday: "Sure, there are more serious problems to solve but please, think of the children! How am I going to explain to my kids why some of the most valuable keyboard real estate is squatted by a large, useless key that above all you must not press!"

He has also launched a blog called cappsoff.blogspot.com and started a Capsoff Google Groups forum so that other Caps Locks-haters can add their support. The movement certainly seems to gathering momentum – there are nearly 300 members of the Capsoff Google Groups already, many of whom are similarly enraged by the apparent madness of current keyboard design.

Sure, Caps Lock can be annoying, but is a revolution entire necessary? As others point out, that there are alternatives, like downloading software to deactivate the key or even splashing out on a custom-made keyboard. Also, if the Caps locks goes, who's to say which key will next? Tab? PrtScn? The space bar for goodness sakes??!

Pookie · 08.18.2006, 08:31 AM

sAUSAGE FINGERS.

Hip Priest · 08.18.2006, 08:32 AM

That should have been an option.

alyasa · 08.18.2006, 08:32 AM

Pieter's got a point.

Hip Priest · 08.18.2006, 08:33 AM

'Nearly 300 members', and that's before the article was published.

alyasa · 08.18.2006, 08:34 AM

There could be a keyboard shortcut for typing in all capitals. Only time I type in all capitals is for titles and headings.

Hip Priest · 08.18.2006, 08:36 AM

Pieter's pitch: "Sure, there are more serious problems to solve but please, think of the children! How am I going to explain to my kids why some of the most valuable keyboard real estate is squatted by a large, useless key that above all you must not press!"

Pookie · 08.18.2006, 10:28 AM

Reminds me of the lever in old horror films: "Don't touch that lever!!" and the whole building explodes. Why have a lever that's only purpose is destroying the building? (See Frankenstein).

jon boy · 08.18.2006, 10:30 AM

he has a point but he's a sad fucker. maybe they could just move it to a place where its less easy to hit on the keyboard?

DemonBox · 08.18.2006, 10:38 AM

Pieter really needs to get a grip on reality.

HaydenAsche · 08.18.2006, 03:19 PM

What a fucking idiot. I never press the caps-lock key. I, however, am a typing god.

k-krack · 08.18.2006, 03:23 PM

what a lame-oh. if yr as much of a computer geek as he clearly must be, why the hell does he still struggle to not push caps lock. he should be a typing whiz by now. "keyboard real estate?!?!" thats a joke right?

acousticrock87 · 08.18.2006, 03:28 PM

I hit the caps lock key on accident occassionally, but it's not that often, and quite easy to fix if you actually look at the screen when you type (which I don't always do, but the CEO of a software company definitely should). The password thing has happened a few times, but nothing I'd complain about. The bigger issue is that I don't think I've ever purposefully used the key in my life.

Regardless, it sounds like a good-humored joke.

Hip Priest · 08.18.2006, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k-krack

what a lame-oh. if yr as much of a computer geek as he clearly must be, why the hell does he still struggle to not push caps lock. he should be a typing whiz by now. "keyboard real estate?!?!" thats a joke right?

Your reaction was pretty much the same as mine, especially your first point.

I've noothing against the 'Caps Lock' key, myself - it's useful enough. I certainly use it more than other keys (what's the 'Ins' key for? I don't even know. Or the 'Sys Rq' for that matter. In fact, f***, there's quite a few I've never noticed before. 'LCD/CRT'? What on earth does that mean?).

Funnily enough, as I logged in just now I accidentally hit 'Caps Lock' and had to try again. Gah!

acousticrock87 · 08.18.2006, 03:42 PM

Now the Insert key I could do without. It makes typing behind letters delete them. Type out a sentence and then put the cursor in the middle, hit insert, and type. That is an annoying key. I never knew what it did, so when I accidently hit it I got extremely frustrated, not knowing what I did to switch back.

EDIT: Which brings up the point that they should probably just move it to a more inconvenient spot. Being next to Shift is the only reason it's a problem. The insert key on this keyboard is way out of reach and never bugs me anymore, so why not do that with caps?

Hip Priest · 08.18.2006, 03:45 PM

Oh far out, I've done that accidentally in the past. I could never figure out how it had happened so, tragically, I would shut the whole program down and restart! Thanks for that.

DemonBox · 08.18.2006, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acousticrock87

Now the Insert key I could do without. It makes typing behind letters delete them. Type out a sentence and then put the cursor in the middle, hit insert, and type. That is an annoying key. I never knew what it did, so when I accidently hit it I got extremely frustrated, not knowing what I did to switch back.

EDIT: Which brings up the point that they should probably just move it to a more inconvenient spot. Being next to Shift is the only reason it's a problem. The insert key on this keyboard is way out of reach and never bugs me anymore, so why not do that with caps?

Oh, that insert-fucker is so annoying. I recall nearly crushing a schoolcomputer, cuz I did not know how to reverse the shit.

k-krack · 08.18.2006, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acousticrock87

Now the Insert key I could do without. It makes typing behind letters delete them. Type out a sentence and then put the cursor in the middle, hit insert, and type. That is an annoying key. I never knew what it did, so when I accidently hit it I got extremely frustrated, not knowing what I did to switch back.

EDIT: Which brings up the point that they should probably just move it to a more inconvenient spot. Being next to Shift is the only reason it's a problem. The insert key on this keyboard is way out of reach and never bugs me anymore, so why not do that with caps?

i have no clue how but i have have hit that damned insert key a couple of times. i hate that one more. but who cares.

GeneticKiss · 08.18.2006, 03:51 PM

Actually, if you remember, on earlier computers, if you typed behind a word you'd type over it, and the insert key was used to type words in between words, thus the name "Insert"...but now, that's a normal function, so they should either get rid of it or go back to typing over words, or call it "Replace" or something.

On topic, those anti-Caps Lock people are even worse than the "Mothers Against Noise"...

k-krack · 08.18.2006, 03:56 PM

i remember my old commodore 65 where insert was the Enter equivelent. not anymore, though. now its basically pointless.

View Poll Results: Read the article below (if you can be bothered), then select an option.
Pieter Hintjens is absolutely right on this matter.	4	19.05%
Pieter Hintjens is so wrong on this matter.	7	33.33%
Surely Pieter Hintjens has better things to worry about? I just don't care.	10	47.62%
Voters: 21. You may not vote on this poll

08.18.2006, 08:27 AM	#1
Hip Priest invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Birkenhead Posts: 9,397	From New Scientists Technology Blog. There's no denying the caps lock key can be a pain. How often have you accidentally found yoUR TYPING ALL UPPER-CAse because you accidentally pressed it? Or been locked out of your computer because Caps Lock keeps messing with your password? For Pieter Hintjens, CEO of Belgian software company iMatrix such annoyances have driven him too far. And now he's on a mission to get computer makers everywhere to remove the damned thing from keyboards altogether. Hintjens announced his campaign to kill off Caps Lock on the nerd-herding site Slashdot yesterday: "Sure, there are more serious problems to solve but please, think of the children! How am I going to explain to my kids why some of the most valuable keyboard real estate is squatted by a large, useless key that above all you must not press!" He has also launched a blog called cappsoff.blogspot.com and started a Capsoff Google Groups forum so that other Caps Locks-haters can add their support. The movement certainly seems to gathering momentum – there are nearly 300 members of the Capsoff Google Groups already, many of whom are similarly enraged by the apparent madness of current keyboard design. Sure, Caps Lock can be annoying, but is a revolution entire necessary? As others point out, that there are alternatives, like downloading software to deactivate the key or even splashing out on a custom-made keyboard. Also, if the Caps locks goes, who's to say which key will next? Tab? PrtScn? The space bar for goodness sakes??! __________________ Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. http://www.flickr.com/photos/outsidethecamp/
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

08.18.2006, 08:31 AM	#2
Pookie invito al cielo Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 9,877	sAUSAGE FINGERS.
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

08.18.2006, 08:32 AM	#3
Hip Priest invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Birkenhead Posts: 9,397	That should have been an option. __________________ Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. http://www.flickr.com/photos/outsidethecamp/
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

08.18.2006, 08:32 AM	#4
alyasa invito al cielo Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 3,791	Pieter's got a point. __________________ Sab Kuch Tick Tock Hai
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

08.18.2006, 08:33 AM	#5
Hip Priest invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Birkenhead Posts: 9,397	'Nearly 300 members', and that's before the article was published. __________________ Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. http://www.flickr.com/photos/outsidethecamp/
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

08.18.2006, 08:34 AM	#6
alyasa invito al cielo Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 3,791	There could be a keyboard shortcut for typing in all capitals. Only time I type in all capitals is for titles and headings. __________________ Sab Kuch Tick Tock Hai
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

08.18.2006, 08:36 AM	#7
Hip Priest invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Birkenhead Posts: 9,397	Pieter's pitch: "Sure, there are more serious problems to solve but please, think of the children! How am I going to explain to my kids why some of the most valuable keyboard real estate is squatted by a large, useless key that above all you must not press!" __________________ Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. http://www.flickr.com/photos/outsidethecamp/
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

08.18.2006, 10:28 AM	#8
Pookie invito al cielo Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 9,877	Reminds me of the lever in old horror films: "Don't touch that lever!!" and the whole building explodes. Why have a lever that's only purpose is destroying the building? (See Frankenstein).
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

08.18.2006, 10:30 AM	#9
jon boy invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: psycho battery Posts: 12,161	he has a point but he's a sad fucker. maybe they could just move it to a place where its less easy to hit on the keyboard? __________________ Sarcasm[A] is stating the opposite of an intended meaning especially in order to sneeringly, slyly, jest or mock a person, situation or thing \|@ <------- Euphoric brain cell just moments before expiration V _ \ / _ PING <-------- moments later / \ http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljhxq...isruo1_500.gif
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

08.18.2006, 10:38 AM	#10
DemonBox the end of the ugly Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 840	Pieter really needs to get a grip on reality.
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

08.18.2006, 03:19 PM	#11
HaydenAsche invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 10,755	What a fucking idiot. I never press the caps-lock key. I, however, am a typing god. __________________ rip
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08.18.2006, 03:23 PM	#12
k-krack invito al cielo Join Date: May 2006 Location: On Posts: 7,380	what a lame-oh. if yr as much of a computer geek as he clearly must be, why the hell does he still struggle to not push caps lock. he should be a typing whiz by now. "keyboard real estate?!?!" thats a joke right? __________________ sandwich klub 4 men. Danny is a C.H.U.D.
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

08.18.2006, 03:28 PM	#13
acousticrock87 invito al cielo Join Date: May 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5,515	I hit the caps lock key on accident occassionally, but it's not that often, and quite easy to fix if you actually look at the screen when you type (which I don't always do, but the CEO of a software company definitely should). The password thing has happened a few times, but nothing I'd complain about. The bigger issue is that I don't think I've ever purposefully used the key in my life. Regardless, it sounds like a good-humored joke.
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

08.18.2006, 03:42 PM	#15
acousticrock87 invito al cielo Join Date: May 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5,515	Now the Insert key I could do without. It makes typing behind letters delete them. Type out a sentence and then put the cursor in the middle, hit insert, and type. That is an annoying key. I never knew what it did, so when I accidently hit it I got extremely frustrated, not knowing what I did to switch back. EDIT: Which brings up the point that they should probably just move it to a more inconvenient spot. Being next to Shift is the only reason it's a problem. The insert key on this keyboard is way out of reach and never bugs me anymore, so why not do that with caps?
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

08.18.2006, 03:45 PM	#16
Hip Priest invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Birkenhead Posts: 9,397	Oh far out, I've done that accidentally in the past. I could never figure out how it had happened so, tragically, I would shut the whole program down and restart! Thanks for that. __________________ Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. http://www.flickr.com/photos/outsidethecamp/
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

08.18.2006, 03:51 PM	#19
GeneticKiss expwy. to yr skull Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,666	Actually, if you remember, on earlier computers, if you typed behind a word you'd type over it, and the insert key was used to type words in between words, thus the name "Insert"...but now, that's a normal function, so they should either get rid of it or go back to typing over words, or call it "Replace" or something. On topic, those anti-Caps Lock people are even worse than the "Mothers Against Noise"...
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

08.18.2006, 03:56 PM	#20
k-krack invito al cielo Join Date: May 2006 Location: On Posts: 7,380	i remember my old commodore 65 where insert was the Enter equivelent. not anymore, though. now its basically pointless. __________________ sandwich klub 4 men. Danny is a C.H.U.D.
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|