JvH 1204537974|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
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.
JvH, 1204537974|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
JvH 1204538133|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
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.
JvH 1204539153|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
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.
cben 1270993759|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
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 :-)]
cben 1270993424|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
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:
