On Jan 9, 2009, at 2:08 AM, Michael G Schwern wrote:
the most obnoxious fat finger target since Caps Lock
The Caps Lock problem was actually solved decades ago by NeXT. On NeXT's keyboards there was no dedicated Caps Lock key, and Caps Lock mode was enabled by holding down Command and tapping Shift, which would light up an LED embedded in the Shift key until you exited the mode by the same means.
It took me all of a few minutes to discover and figure out with only the markings on the keyboard as clues, and I *never* engaged Caps Lock by mistake.
It's unfortunate and discouraging that nobody, even including Apple, has seen fit to duplicate this design.
I also like the physically locking key on Apple's older keyboards. Engaging the lock inadvertantly is extremely unlikely, and if somehow you manage it, you immediately know this through tactile and auditory feedback.
Obligatory software hate: Instead of mucking around with keystroke timing (e.g. ignoring very quick presses of Caps Lock on new keyboards), why don't they just ignore a Caps Lock press when a non- modifier key (like 'A') is already down?
Josh
