TECH: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK

Subject: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: GUEST,Paul
Date: 02 Dec 01 - 09:40 PM

I detest the Caps Lock Key. I'm not great at typing, and all it seems to do is to get in the way. I NEVER have to type a lot in upper case, and if I did, I'd be happy to use the shift key.

It's a left over from the past, and has no function for me other than to make me use the backspace key more often, once I've pressed it by mistake.

Rant over, question following...

Does anyone know if there is a way of disabling it? Can I 'map' my keyboard so that it doesn't work?

I've tried the physical approach of removing the key, but I still hit the button underneath.

Any ideas?

Paul

Subject: RE: BS: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: Sorcha
Date: 02 Dec 01 - 09:43 PM

LOL! Ask SINSULL, she has a lot of trouble with DAMNCAPSLOCK!! I don't.......I have trouble changing hands with the Shift key when I want to type all in caps. So I capslock. Sometimes forget to un do it, though.

Subject: RE: BS: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 02 Dec 01 - 09:52 PM

I assmume you are on a Win PC

have a look at this.

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Dec 01 - 09:53 PM

Hi, Paul - don't know how to diable CAPSLOCK, but you should be able to make it make a noice if you accidentally hit it.

Hit your "start button" and go to "settings" and open your Control Panel. Select "Accessibility Options" - on the "keyboard" tab, check "use toggle keys."

I was able to get this to work on my old computer, which had Windows 95 and an internal computer speaker. Won't work on my current computer, which has Windows 98 2nd Edition, and no internal speaker (but I swear the noise came through my sound card on the old computer).

Anyhow, that's one thing you can try.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: GUEST,Paul
Date: 02 Dec 01 - 09:56 PM

Thanks a lot Jon

Yes, I am using Windows. I was hoping for something I could just fix in Control Panel or whatever.

$15 is however a fair price to avoid madness!

Thanks again

Paul

Subject: RE: TECH: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: IvanB
Date: 02 Dec 01 - 11:37 PM

If you go here:

Keyboard Remapper

you can download a small zip file (59KB) that, when extracted and installed, will add a keyboard remapping function to the keyboard app in Control Panel. With it, you can disable Caps Lock altogether, remap it to duplicate the function of the left shift key, or to that of any other key for that matter.

And, it's free.

Subject: RE: TECH: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: Don Firth
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 01:17 PM

The first computer I ever had was a KayPro II that I bought in 1983. The word processor that came with it was WordStar. No function keys, and the Caps Lock key was off in some obscure location. There were no function keys, and almost all of the WordStar commands used letter keys in combination with the CTRL key. Now, on my notebook (a Dell, purchased a year ago), they followed the current practice of key placement, which puts the #@%&!!#* Caps Lock key where the CTRL key used to be. I use Word 2000 on it and some commands call for CTRL key/letter key combinations, and I always have to hunt for the flamin' CTRL key. Whoever had the bright idea of putting the Caps Lock key in its present location ought to have his nads deep fried in boiling oil.

When I bought my desktop about two years ago, I bitched to the guy who put it together for me about keyboard layout. He went into the back room and brought out a brand-new keyboard with the CTRL key where God intended it to be (adjacent to the "a") -- Caps Lock bottom left and out of the way -- and with the function keys along the left side instead of across the top (across the top makes you used two hands to enter some commands that used to take only one). So they're still making well-designed keyboards, but you have to raise hell and demand them.

I looked all over my keyboard, and there's no brand name on it. Sorry.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: TECH: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 01:44 PM

If I read it right, the free re-mapper Ivan found oughta solve it easily ..and yes, free! I have used several PC Magazine apps in the past and they are always great!

Subject: RE: TECH: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 02:10 PM

If you are using any recent version of Word for your word processor, click on TOOLS - Autocorrect. There's a check box there that you can click to "correct two initial caps."

With this function on, if you hit two caps in a row - following a paragraph break or a period, it will drop the second one to lower case and will turn off CapsLock!.

John

Subject: RE: TECH: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: GUEST,Paul
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 02:15 PM

Many thanks, IvanB.

That is exactly what I wanted! And such a small file. I've disabled CAPS for now, but may remap it as the left shift later.

Much appreciated.

Actually, I think I might also swap the [ bracket (which I hardly ever use) with the < bracket. I could then write html without the shift key...

Thanks again

Paul

Subject: RE: TECH: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: GUEST,Paul
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 02:23 PM

Looking again, I don't think it lets you change 'shifted' characters though. Shame...

Paul

Subject: RE: TECH: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 02:28 PM

Paul, what version of Windows are you using? I was reluctant to use the utility because I have Windows 98, and the Ziff-Davis site said the program was for Win 95.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: TECH: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: GUEST,Paul
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 02:31 PM

Joe,

I'm using 98 and it works like a dream. I guess it meant 95 or later.

Just be sure to read the 'readme' file about how to install it. In no way difficult, but it doesn't install itself

Paul

Subject: RE: TECH: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 02:49 PM

For those who don't want to mangle their machinery, it might be helpful to know that in Word, you can change case with the standard shortcut SHIFT-F3.

If your cursor is in a word, it will change all lower case to initial caps, then to all caps, then back to all lower case on repeated presses.

If you highlight a bunch of stuff, it will switch it to all lower case or all upper case, although what it does with the init caps step may not be quite what you'd like (there is a method to it).

If you've run on quite a few with the caplock on, you can highlight the whole schmear and Shift-F3 to change it back to lc. Can save retyping.

John

Subject: RE: TECH: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: GUEST,Paul
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 02:58 PM

John,

Installing a really useful 50K utility is hardly 'mangleing your machine'

I'm aware of the functions in MS Word, but I wanted something that would help when I posted at Mudcat and other web forums.

IvanB's suggested software does what I want, exactly, simply and elegantly.

You don't happen to work for Bill G, do you :-)

Paul

Subject: RE: TECH: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: Devilmaster
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 05:19 PM

Now, Now Paul,

No need to get rude about it! :)

Subject: RE: TECH: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: IvanB
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 05:45 PM

Paul, as regards changing 'shifted' characters, you're right, KeyMapper doesn't allow remapping of 'extended' characters. I do have a program I got from ZDNet that allows that, called HotKeys. I notice the version on their website is older than the one I have on my machine but, if you want it I'd be happy to email it to you. It's a bit bigger at 500K. Although the purpose of the program is to allow you to set up hotkeys to start programs, send keystrokes, etc., it also allows remapping of keys.

For instance I've had Win/b set up to send HTML line returns for some time. I tried remapping the square brackets to angle brackets this afternoon and it worked fine.

Unfortunately, none of the URL's I have for the program seem to be working. If you'd like it, email me at

Ivan Bradley's Email


and I'll send you a copy by return email. BTW, the author calls it 'PostCardWare' and requests you send a postcard of your area to him in payment.

Subject: RE: TECH: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: GUEST,Paul
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 05:45 PM

I wasn't aware that I was...

Paul

Subject: RE: TECH: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: GUEST,Paul
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 09:34 PM

Thanks for that offer, Ivan

Email sent

Paul

Subject: RE: TECH: Obsure Computing Query - CAPS LOCK
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 03 Dec 01 - 10:07 PM

I make it a habit to type all of my postings into a Microsoft Word document first, and then when I'm finished, I copy and paste it from Word to my browser. This has several advantages: (1) I can use my spell-checker. (2) I can interrupt my composing to look up something on the Web without losing what I've typed so far. (3) I can more easily revise what I've written.

And you just made me aware of another advantage I had sort of taken for granted. If I inadvertently type a long string of stuff in the wrong case, I can easily convert it to "UPPERCASE" "lowercase" "Title Case" (that is, the first letter of each word capitalized) or "Sentence case" (that is, the first letter of each sentence and each paragraph capitalized).

This works great for me because I post a lot of lyrics, and I "harvest" and edit songs for DigiTrad. I want the title of each song to be in UPPERCASE. I want proper names, titles of albums, etc. to be in Title Case. I want everything else to be in Sentence case.

Also, Word is smart enough to take care of a lot of things automatically. If I never touch the shift keys at all, it will automatically capitalize the beginning of every sentence (and every line if I'm doing lyrics) and will automatically convert the single letter "i" to "I". Also, if I inadvertently leave the caps lock on, and then I begin typing a word using the shift key (like tHIS) Word is smart enough to figure out that I've made a mistake, and it will automatically convert tHIS to This and shut off the caps lock! What could be sweeter?

You could also take a screwdriver and pry the caps lock key right out of there.