Do you use CAPS LOCK when typing capital letters?
@lordwarwizard (35747)
Singapore
November 13, 2007 1:15am CST
No I didn't spill my coffee on the keyboard but I was starring at it when this question popped into my mind.
We all use capital letters at one time or another when we type. At the least, we capitalize the first letter of each sentence.
So pray share, when you type capital letters, do you (1) press the caps lock, type the capitals, then toggle it off or (2) hold down shift when typing, then release or (3)... ?
For me, I almost always (like 99.9999% of the time) use the shift key instead of the caps lock - even if the word is as long as say HUMONGOUS. It is strange when you think about this because if you analyze it, using the caps lock saves time and effort. After all, that is why the key is on the keyboard in the first place! But yet... well, perhaps it is just another of my idiosyncrasies.
So what about you? Do you use the CAPS LOCK when typing capital letters? Or do you use the SHIFT key? Or... ? Do share your habits. =)
22 people like this
96 responses
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
13 Nov 07
The only time my caps lock is on, is at work. We type the daily register in all caps, so it stays on. WHen I do Mylot or other things (hehe) from work I am always having to back track because I forget the dang thing is on. I prefer to use the shift key.
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
13 Nov 07
But geez, if something is printed, small letters work fine enough... as long as you don't choose a joker font. :P
1 person likes this
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
13 Nov 07
because the daily register is an activity report for the Police Dept. It has to be large font, bold and in all caps to make sure everyone can read it. Hey, I don't make the rules, I just follow them.
2 people like this
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
13 Nov 07
No I do not use Caps Lock because that is weak. I use Shift.
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
13 Nov 07
Yes, it is weak. True typing professionals and English scholars have no need for Caps Lock.
2 people like this
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
13 Nov 07
I hardly use CAPSLOCK for capital letters. Shift key is my priority. Howver, while writing a long thing is capitals, which is seldom, I do press CAPSLOCK on.
2 people like this
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
13 Nov 07
Can you tell me what other function this SHIFT key has?
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
13 Nov 07
What do you mean? Shift key is very important - it grabs the symbols on top of the numbers.
Look at your keyboard... like to type @, you have to hold down shift while typing 2.
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
13 Nov 07
Yup. Would be too tiring to hold the shift key for too long.:P
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
13 Nov 07
I don't think I ever intentionally use caps lock. I sometimes accidentally hit it and wind up getting annoyed with it. But like you, even if I'm typing a whole word in capital letters, I'll just use shift.
I like that it's more effort to type words in capitals for emphasis like that, because it means I'll do it less often. To be honest, it's a lazy way out to avoid providing the emphasis through actual writing skill. So I'd rather find ways to make my sentence provide the emphasis by itself, without resorting to cheap typing tricks like capitalizing everything. :P
2 people like this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
13 Nov 07
Yes, I suppose I should look at the screen now and then. Actually, though, when I'm online I'm also trying to keep an eye on a boisterous 1 1/2 year old boy, so I only give so much of my attention to the computer. :P
As for correct capitalization not being cheap, that is correct. But you referenced capitalizing entire words, which is usually done for extra emphasis and not because it is "correct".
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
13 Nov 07
Oh yea, it's tough having to handle a kid as well.:P
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
13 Nov 07
Glance up at the screen every now and then. ^^
And using correct capitalization is not cheap.:PP
2 people like this
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
13 Nov 07
I rarely use the caps lock and as such it is usually ACCIDENTAL if I do. Then I get ticked off because I have to change it. I'm just used to using the shift key. Habit I guess.
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
13 Nov 07
I am thinking Lord that it may have been placed there for me? Hee hee.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
13 Nov 07
Wonder why they put that key there hmm.... :P
1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
13 Nov 07
It is very rare that I need to start typing constantly in capital letters, so just for you I opened up a word document to check what would be my instant response in typing caps, and straight away I hit the caps lock key, so there's your answer! Normally be a typist I would just hold the shift key down with my little finger, they are useful for something lol!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
13 Nov 07
I usually use the shift key, and shift and capitalize, if it is just one or two caps. If it is about five letters that need to be capitalized, then I will hit the cap lock key, and then type what I need to then release the caps. Once in awhile my fingers slip, and I get a whole lot of caps, when I did not even need one. I wish there was some way I could highlight that kind of mistake and press one key to fix it.
2 people like this
@patgalca (18181)
• Orangeville, Ontario
13 Nov 07
I use the shift keep when capitalizing one letter. When I capitalize a whole word I will use the lock key.
On the other hand, when I make an error, instead of going back to the error and fixing it, I tend to backspace/delete all the way to the error if it is within the same line, and then re-type.
Old habits die hard, I guess.
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
13 Nov 07
Haha, I do exactly the same as you!!
1 person likes this
@raphael_volts (1131)
• India
13 Nov 07
I have thought about it a lot of times. though having the Capsolck key on the board we barely use it, atleast I don't use. Actually this has hapened to me because while writing I only use the shift key with the letters to make them capital as it is quite difficult to hit the capslock key twice, just to make one letter capital. As I and most of us write continuos sentences with nice grammer, we always have to majorly write only one or two words in capital, each sentence. This indeed builds a habbit of using the shift key instead of the capslock key.
Not that I don't use it at all, but not for normal words or even a big word, but in case if I have to write a whole paragraph of capital letters or even two, three lines, I generally use the Capslock.
Any ways nice topic Lordwarwizard.
Take Care
May GOD Bless YOU
(PS: while writing this reply I didn't use Capslock, but the shift key was pressed a several times.)
@deadraven999 (1386)
• Saudi Arabia
13 Nov 07
If sentence is lengthy I may use cap lock but if it's a word or a letter I just use the shift key. Thanx 4 adding me 2 ur friend's list.
2 people like this
@pinay81 (1535)
• Philippines
13 Nov 07
sometimes i use it also i press the caps lock but when only f1st letter that need to be capital i just press the shift key and i have also another site that its not allowed to write in capital letter they allowed to change the font letter only:-)
@fanji008 (775)
• China
13 Nov 07
Hi,there! I think it's a very interesting discussion cause I always use CAPS LOCK when I type capital letters. I remember once I was talking about this with my friend and he was laughing and asked me:Don't you think it's not convenient? Why do you like using it instead of SHIFT? Well,I don't know exactly why but I'm used to it and I think it's not inconvenient at all:) I also use Shift but not in such case. Maybe I'll change this habit one day,maybe I'll always keep it. I don't know^_^
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
13 Nov 07
I guess there must be a reason for the key being there.:P
1 person likes this
@derek_a (10874)
•
13 Nov 07
If a lot of letters are needed to be capitalized, I hit the CAPS LOCK, I find it much easier. But like you, if it is just capitalization of the first letter, then I just use the shift key. I have noticed though that these days, many do not even bother with using capitals, - for istance, "i always visit london in the summer when i am in britain".
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
13 Nov 07
Maybe they are trying to be friendly (casual). :P
1 person likes this
@lynboobsy11 (11343)
• Philippines
13 Nov 07
Yes we aare almost the same I do used shift key when I capitalized letters. I just comfortable and get used to it rather using caps lock keys.
2 people like this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
13 Nov 07
If I'm feeling efficient, organized, and like I am in control of my life, I will use CAPS LOCK.
But If I am feeling out of control and disorganized then I usually find myself hitting the SHIFT key and having to do a bunch of hand acrobatics in contorted positions across the keyboard.
Also using CAPS LOCK often creates more interruptions in my flow than not using it because I frequently end up hitting the TAB button instead.
But the worst is when I want to hit the SHIFT key and end up hitting the CAPS LOCK key instead. I don't know why this ALWAYS has the power to confuse me.
2 people like this
@MUKUL_6907 (292)
• India
13 Nov 07
Hi once again my freind!
Well, I do use CAPSLOCK while typing but not very often. I also prefer to use shift key more. Shift key is more convenient to use as compared to CAPSLOCK. You have to first turn the capslock key on and then you have to turn it off when your work is done, I feel it a little annoying.... Shift key is a lot better option. Just hold it and type what you want, there is no need to toggle it on or off!
I think shift key should be named as CAPSLOCK and capslock key should be removed from the keyboard. Most of us never touches the capslock key, we just prefer to use the shift key...
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
13 Nov 07
So I have been wondering why they put that key on the keyboard.:P
1 person likes this
