Oh the sad, sad caps lock key. It seems the desire to type solely in capitals never propelled it to fame. Now it sits on the side of the keyboard, alone, passive-aggressively tripping us when we enter passwords.
Here’s a tip on how to change that prime real estate into something more useful:
1) Open ‘system preferences’ and go to ‘keyboard & mouse’.
2) Click on ‘Modifier Key…’. (Note the ellipse hinting at the mystery that lies beyond)
3) This menu places caps lock, control, and option at your mercy. Using the drop boxes, you can switch their functions or even disable them at your whim. My recommendation is to leave the others alone, but remap caps lock to the more useful control key. Your emacs pinky will thank you.
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Header photograph by i_yudai
So simple it’s stupid not to do it. Funny that I found a handful of responses on Google about installing modified keyboard drivers and hacks when the solution is so simple. How did I miss the “Modifier keys” button the first time.
Thanks!
I’ve done this, and my VIM/bash pinky is indeed happy for it. But every couple months or so, I actually need Caps Lock. How do I map another key combination (say, Ctrl-Caps_Lock) to engage Caps Lock? TIA.
Unfortunately, I don’t know any easy way to do a two-key combination for caps lock — if you ever find out how, please let me know.
You need a virtual keyboard, like the one that comes with the modbook – which I believe is free from Axiotron. Theres an on-screen keyboard that comes with OSX, but the modifier keys override it!
Really simple and useful.
Thank you!