This little how-to guide is my submission to the Problogger.net’s Group Writing Project inviting bloggers to join in and write-up their own ‘how-to’ guides and tips about anything they fancy.
Back in August, I saw this news item about a ceo advocating and launching a campaign to remove the Caps Lock key from the keyboard.
I symphatize and agree with the reasons he has espoused as to why the Caps Lock key could be a hazard in our productivity and everyday PC usage, removing it from our keyboards altogether is somehow overreacting and neanderthal a solution.
Would you like to keep a finger constantly pressed down on the shift key while you type lines of text that need to be set in an all caps format?
The Caps Lock key is there for a purpose, a good purpose. It’s just a matter of wise usage and common sense to turn it into one of the most vital keys in our keyboards.
Today, I’m going to show a neat and simple way to tame your Caps Lock key and make it work for you rather the other way around.
This little guide would prove useful to all of us whom from time to time, would make the inadvertent mistake of pressing the Caps Lock key unknowingly, only to realise it has been accidentaly turned on once we see our texts screem to us on monitor screens.
The solution is a little neat function that is built-in to Windows XP and is called Toggle Keys.
You head on to Start>Control Panel>Accessiblity Options.
The Accessiblity Options window will appear, select the Keyboard tab and at the bottom you’ll find the Toggle Keys section.
2. Click Apply
3. Click OK and you’re all set.
From now on, everytime you hit or press on the Caps Lock key you’ll hear a beep sound from your PC. An active reminder to accompany the often missed led light on the keyboard that the Caps Lock key is on or off. It’s the same beeping sound you hear everytime your PC boots up when you start it.
It requires no additional software, not even an external speaker and its all built-in in your Windows XP.
Death to Caps Lock key? Oh please…tame it with the Toggle Keys.
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Julius aka "Jhay" Rocas has been blogging since 2006. He is a certified geek. New Media publisher/Professional blogger and Internet ninja. Youth activist. He blogs about tech news, gadgets and social commentary. 
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Jhay! Thanks for visiting my blog.
Caps lock? I agree with you, it's there because it has a purpose. Typing properly is a skill and not a lot us have that skill. So it's just understable that people make mistakes, but removing the caps lock? Nah!
an on-screen indicator is my friend for this problem…
I get along well with the CAPS LOCK. This idea that 'the Caps Lock key can be a hazard in productivity' is soooo soo silly
lol cyberpunk I agree!
Hello J!have a nice weekend! take care!!
Ayus! Never knew that!
I've tried the Toggle Keys but just like what Matt said, it gets annoying everytime it beeps.
Hey Jhay! Thanks for e-mailing me the tips. *wink*
Cool tip…I love this. And I could do it from your instructions. Somehow I overlooked Accessibility Options in general and it's nice to find out how much more I can do. Thank you!
Must be some kind of nut. I never had any problems with the Caps Lock. I guess he's used to having somebody else doing the typing for him.
oh, my! i agree with cyberpunk's sentiment…why should anyone be blaming the poor CAPS LOCK key for their inability to type properly…i say, LEAVE THAT CAPS LOCK KEY WELL ALONE…
(hi, jhay! i found your site while bloghopping…i forgot now where from. and lest you think i'm some crazy girl who writes comments in caps, please let me state the obvious by saying i'm just kidding
)
i also read the same article you're talking about. i agree with you jhay, the caps lock key doesn't have to be removed to solve this issue. i believe that it's important as the other keys are.
I remember a similar post
Or am I just hallucinating? Haha.
hmmm caps lock removal…sounds like a watered-down version of the gun ban…and as they say "guns don't kill people, people do"…
caps lock keys don't harm idiots…idiots do…
LOL! I just look at what I am typing and check the keyboard for the light
. Our list is up as well if you'd like to check it out!!
I think I would get annoyed by the beep since I hit it so much.
My How To is up if you want to check it out.
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