Alternatives
Alternatives
In which we document some of the alternatives that have been proposed to replace Caps Lock, assuming the key is moved to a safer position, or eliminated entirely:
- Addition of a Ctrl key, to make it easier to type combinations like Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V (the Happy Hacker layout).
- Addition of a second Enter key, to make the keyboard more useful for left-handers (proposed by r03).
- Addition of a second backspace key, nicely positioned on the home row (the Colemak layout).
- A new 'clipboard' key to replace cut/copy/paste (proposed by Linus McCabe, see ClipControl for a Proof of Concept).
- A programmable key (or two smaller keys) for games and applications.
- The 'any' key, which will solve the current problem of "hitting any key to continue" (Richard Sakowski)
- A non-modal Caps key that converts selected text to uppercase (or lowercase) (Sylvie M.)
Do you have a suggestion? What key or combination do you use so often that you wish it was on the home row, easily accessible by your left hand? Join the wikidot.com community, and then add your comment below.
A switch on the keyboard to physically disable the Caps Lock key. This way users who don't use the key can't accidentally press it.
As is already mentioned in the list above: a programmable key.
The thing I would like to explicitly add is that it should also be possible to program it to function as the Caps Lock key.
1) Make Caps Lock only work in combination with Left Shift. This way the user always has to press 2 keys, and is less likely to enter Caps Lock mode.
2) Always put an LED on the Caps Lock key so the user can see he/she is in Caps Lock mode without having to look at the screen.
I've been using CapsLock as layout switch (I'm trilingual) on linux for years.
The standard XKB option to do this moves capital locking to Shift+CapsLock, as you propose.
Despite years of practice with it, I keep pressing Shift+CapsLock accidentally (never intending it) because the keys are adjacent.
So it might not be enough of a guard.
[Today I learned that xmodmap -e "remove lock = Caps_Lock" kills capital locking without killing the layout-switch meaning of CapsLock. I'm very happy now :-)]
Tab, Alt+Tab, Ctrl+Tab are used a lot for GUI navigation.
There is no separate key for BackTab, so users are forced to use Shift+Tab, Alt+Shift+Tab, Ctrl+Shift+Tab.
I propose that BackTab deserves a separate key, and the place below Tab vacated by killing CapsLock is perfect for it!
Alt+Shift+Tab is bad not only because any 3-key combo is awkward.
And any pair of commands having opposite effect will be frequently used in back-and-forth alternation.
Have you used programs that use
If so you know what I'm talking about.
Even Z/Y, far as they are, allow resting to separate fingers on them for quick alternation!
Toggling Shift is much harder, especially in combos like Ctrl+Shift+Tab, where you much control a finger that is between 2 already pressed fingers.
Try it now, and you'll feel my pain. Literally. Ouch.
Historical evidence: