Apple Aluminum Keyboard anti-Caps Lock - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Willravel · 01-06-2009, 02:36 PM

Admittedly this thread is a bit late to the party. The Aluminum keyboard has been out for quite some time, but I just got one last week so it's new to me.

Apparently, the caps lock has been a problem for people for a long time. I've always like it, but some people have been complaining for some time that they hit the "a" and the finger also hits the caps. This problem is so wide-spread that Apple decided to do something about it. On every current Apple keyboard, in order to activate the caps lock, you must hold it down for nearly an entire second. No longer can you just quickly hit it like you would any other key. This is a great solution for people who accidentally hit the caps now and again, but I'm a bit of an oddball; I use the caps instead of the shift button. I know, it's very strange, but I learned how to type on a typewriter that didn't have a shift button to speak of and I was already very good before I got my first real computer.

Now I find myself having to slow down every time I have to capitalize something. I tried to change me technique in order to use the shift key, like most people, but it's very, very awkward for me. I imagine it would take me many months to start to feel comfortable using the shift key to capitalize.

Worse still, there's no way to disengage this caps lock speed limiter. I've been all over google trying to locate hacks and such (I found one that fixes the problem but also leaves the caps lock light on perpetually, which I grew annoyed with almost immediately).

Is anyone else having trouble with this? More importantly, has anyone found a way to correct this?

Otherwise, I'm very happy with the keyboard, BTW. The feel is a lot more comfortable, it doesn't get dirty as easily and it's just about the sharpest thing I've ever seen. The one and only complaint is the caps.

Thanks!

biznatch · 01-10-2009, 02:34 PM

Heh. This is actually a feature I could make use of. I play FPSes on a 15.4 inch screen laptop, so when you're typing quickly and trying to push A you'll go all caps, and have to delete those uppercase characters, disengage all caps, and type again to not look dumb. And that's often enough time to get you killed.
I'd like it if you could adjust the time, a full second seems a bit long.
As a side note, I also have bad typing etiquette, my right hand does most of the work while only 2 or 3 of my left hand's finger move.
Must be my WASD "stance," as that is how my left hand always sits when I first sit down at the computer.

allaboutmusic · 01-10-2009, 04:35 PM

Will, I'd never noticed that "feature" before on my Apple aluminium keyboard (which I'm typing on now). I hardly ever use the Caps Lock, but just hitting it repeatedly in the last minute or so, I've found it doesn't engage if you tap it very quickly, but it does engage if you hold it down any longer than a fraction of a second. It certainly doesn't take a full second for me.

Willravel · 01-10-2009, 05:28 PM

It's not instantaneous like every other key, though.

Quote:

The Caps Lock function has been modified to reduce accidental activation. The key must now be held down slightly longer in order to activate the Caps Lock function.

Apple Keyboard (2007): Caps Lock modified to reduce accidental activation

I can appreciate that some people have trouble with it, but to not make it something that can be disengaged has effected the speed at which I can type.

ASU2003 · 01-10-2009, 06:13 PM

I've never noticed it either. It doesn't take that long for my wireless keyboard caps lock to come on, but you can't just tap it either. It's about 1/4 of a second, and since I look at my hands when typing and only type at the speed that I think, it's not really a problem..

QuasiMondo · 01-10-2009, 07:14 PM

Wouldn't it be easier to just relocate the Caps Lock key?

Willravel · 01-10-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuasiMondo

Wouldn't it be easier to just relocate the Caps Lock key?

I'm not sure I understand how that would help.

allaboutmusic · 01-11-2009, 03:36 AM

If the Caps Lock is as integral to your typing style as it appears, it may be an idea to return it and try some of the other high-quality keyboards out there. Some of the new Logitech stuff is phenomenally nice. I do agree that Apple should make the "feature" optional, but they do have a habit of introducing "improvements" without making them defeatable for users who find them less useful.

QuasiMondo · 01-11-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willravel

I'm not sure I understand how that would help.

If the keyboard was redesigned so the user is not accidentally hitting Caps Lock every time they go for the 'A' key, it sure would beat the initial frustration of thinking the Caps Lock key doesn't work.

Even if they just redesigned that key so that half of it is recessed and noticeable by tactile touch would be better, like this:

Willravel · 01-11-2009, 11:59 AM

I misunderstood what you were addressing. Yes, relocating the caps lock would seem a good option, except most folks type by touch. And keyboards have remained basically unchanged for many decades.

I'm afraid that, short of either Apple releasing an update with an option to disengage the anti-caps or me learning how to capitalize using the shift key like a normal person, I may be looking for a new keyboard. How frustrating.

n0nsensical · 01-11-2009, 03:24 PM

Can't type? Too many mouse buttons? Apple will fix it for you! Why didn't Microsoft think of that first?

01-06-2009, 02:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Apple Aluminum Keyboard anti-Caps Lock Admittedly this thread is a bit late to the party. The Aluminum keyboard has been out for quite some time, but I just got one last week so it's new to me. Apparently, the caps lock has been a problem for people for a long time. I've always like it, but some people have been complaining for some time that they hit the "a" and the finger also hits the caps. This problem is so wide-spread that Apple decided to do something about it. On every current Apple keyboard, in order to activate the caps lock, you must hold it down for nearly an entire second. No longer can you just quickly hit it like you would any other key. This is a great solution for people who accidentally hit the caps now and again, but I'm a bit of an oddball; I use the caps instead of the shift button. I know, it's very strange, but I learned how to type on a typewriter that didn't have a shift button to speak of and I was already very good before I got my first real computer. Now I find myself having to slow down every time I have to capitalize something. I tried to change me technique in order to use the shift key, like most people, but it's very, very awkward for me. I imagine it would take me many months to start to feel comfortable using the shift key to capitalize. Worse still, there's no way to disengage this caps lock speed limiter. I've been all over google trying to locate hacks and such (I found one that fixes the problem but also leaves the caps lock light on perpetually, which I grew annoyed with almost immediately). Is anyone else having trouble with this? More importantly, has anyone found a way to correct this? Otherwise, I'm very happy with the keyboard, BTW. The feel is a lot more comfortable, it doesn't get dirty as easily and it's just about the sharpest thing I've ever seen. The one and only complaint is the caps. Thanks!

01-10-2009, 02:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
biznatch Junkie Location: France	Heh. This is actually a feature I could make use of. I play FPSes on a 15.4 inch screen laptop, so when you're typing quickly and trying to push A you'll go all caps, and have to delete those uppercase characters, disengage all caps, and type again to not look dumb. And that's often enough time to get you killed. I'd like it if you could adjust the time, a full second seems a bit long. As a side note, I also have bad typing etiquette, my right hand does most of the work while only 2 or 3 of my left hand's finger move. Must be my WASD "stance," as that is how my left hand always sits when I first sit down at the computer. __________________ Check it out: The Open Source/Freeware/Gratis Software Thread

01-10-2009, 07:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
QuasiMondo Wise-ass Latino Location: Pretoria (Tshwane), RSA	Wouldn't it be easier to just relocate the Caps Lock key? __________________ Cameron originally envisioned the Terminator as a small, unremarkable man, giving it the ability to blend in more easily. As a result, his first choice for the part was Lance Henriksen. O. J. Simpson was on the shortlist but Cameron did not think that such a nice guy could be a ruthless killer. -From the Collector's Edition DVD of The Terminator

01-11-2009, 03:24 PM	#11 (permalink)
n0nsensical Junkie Location: San Francisco	Can't type? Too many mouse buttons? Apple will fix it for you! Why didn't Microsoft think of that first? __________________ "Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded." --Abraham Lincoln

01-10-2009, 04:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
allaboutmusic Aurally Fixated	Will, I'd never noticed that "feature" before on my Apple aluminium keyboard (which I'm typing on now). I hardly ever use the Caps Lock, but just hitting it repeatedly in the last minute or so, I've found it doesn't engage if you tap it very quickly, but it does engage if you hold it down any longer than a fraction of a second. It certainly doesn't take a full second for me.

01-10-2009, 06:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
ASU2003 immoral minority Location: Back in Ohio	I've never noticed it either. It doesn't take that long for my wireless keyboard caps lock to come on, but you can't just tap it either. It's about 1/4 of a second, and since I look at my hands when typing and only type at the speed that I think, it's not really a problem..

01-11-2009, 03:36 AM	#8 (permalink)
allaboutmusic Aurally Fixated	If the Caps Lock is as integral to your typing style as it appears, it may be an idea to return it and try some of the other high-quality keyboards out there. Some of the new Logitech stuff is phenomenally nice. I do agree that Apple should make the "feature" optional, but they do have a habit of introducing "improvements" without making them defeatable for users who find them less useful.

01-11-2009, 11:59 AM	#10 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	I misunderstood what you were addressing. Yes, relocating the caps lock would seem a good option, except most folks type by touch. And keyboards have remained basically unchanged for many decades. I'm afraid that, short of either Apple releasing an update with an option to disengage the anti-caps or me learning how to capitalize using the shift key like a normal person, I may be looking for a new keyboard. How frustrating.