Caps lock
From Free net encyclopedia
The caps lock is a key on a computer keyboard. Pressing it causes the keyboard to go into a mode in which letter keys are interpreted as capital letters by default. The caps lock does not affect the number or punctuation keys on a typical QWERTY keyboard.
Certain keyboard layouts such as the French, older computers such as the Commodore 64, and most typewriters have a shift lock key. This is akin to the caps lock, but also affects the number and punctuation keys, causing them to type the characters they would if the shift key were held down. Originally, on mechanical typewriters, the shift key caused the type apparatus to physically shift to type capitals and other characters. To lock this mechanism in place, the shift lock key would remain partially depressed. The mechanism would not unlock until after pressing a shift key or shift lock again. Some operating systems and window managers allow Caps Lock to be used for a similar function.
Cultural significance
The original utility of the key allowed the typing of all caps where appropriate, such as titles at the top of a page, without needing to hold down a shift key. However, with the advent of modern styling such as small caps and section headers entered only once, this function has depreciated in usefulness.
On Internet chat systems and Usenet, typing in all capitals is interpreted as shouting and/or yelling. It is also more difficult to read. Template:Citeneeded A user who excessively uses capital letters may be advised to "lay off the caps lock."
Use of the caps lock is also associated with newbies who do not consider the appearance of their writing. On the PC keyboard, holding the shift key with caps lock on will produce a lowercase letter, yielding a text style considered typical:
tHIS USER loves HIS cAPS lOCK KEY.
The caps lock can also cause difficulties in entering a computer password, as most systems use case sensitive passwords. Thus, when a user calls technical support and reports inability to log into a password-protected resource, a typical response is, "Is your caps lock on?" Many screens requiring log on now warn the user if their caps lock key is on to reduce the likelihood of this mistake.
Where a keyboard replaces a game pad for frequent use such as fire, there is the risk of damaging the key if used too often. This symptom is most notable for spacebar, which would render the keyboard practically useless. Because caps lock is non-essential, and because of its location and relatively large area, the key is recommended for use in computer games when possible.
In 2002, Internet users pronounced October 22 as the official "Caps Lock Day" [1] [2], a day when everyone writes with their caps lock on.
External links
- Wiki:CapsLockOff describes how to remap the caps lock key for other purposes.hu:Caps lock