I think the reason that the numbers remain numbers even when the caps lok
key is on has mostly to do with the fact that the caps lok key is just that,
a key to lock the letters into capital letter mode.  The Caps lok key is not
analogous to the shif lock key on the old manual and electric typewriters.
When you have the caps lok key in capital letter mode and then press it for
an individual letter, that letter will be entered in lowercase format.  The
computer does not "type" an <A> or an <a> (uppercase one and then lowercase
one).  It sends an ASCII code to the program being run telling it to send
either a capital A or a lowercase a to the screen or to the word processor,
or to the printer.

The <shift> key on the old typewriter actually shifts the type basket down
so that the upper of the two typefaces on a given type bar strikes the
ribbon and the paper instead of the lower one, or it adjusts the strike
angle of the type ball on machines like the IBM Selectric typewriters to
accomplish the same purpose.  On the computer, the <shift> key can change
the keboard code sent by any key, including the keys of the numeric keypad,
the number keys on the "qwerty" section of the keyboard, and the function
keys, as well as the letter keys.  The qwerty part of the keyboard, the four
rows of letters and numbers, was borrowed largely from those old
typewriters, but the rest of the keyboard was borrowed from such machines as
adding machines and calculators, and some types of linotype and teletype
machines used in mass communication centers.  What we know as the standard
101-key IBM AT-style keyboard was borrowed, some would say "stolen", from
Digital Equipment Corporation's VAX line of mini computers.

I always tell people that if they know how to use the old-fashioned
typewriters and can do it by touch without a need to look and "hunt, peck,
and cuss" their way through a typing session, then they already know about
half of what they need to know about a keyboard in order to use the
computer.  Actually, they might already have at least 2/3 of the knowledge
of typing they need to know to type on a computer.

The numlok key on the numeric keypad serves the same function for that part
of the keyboard as the caps lok key does for the QWERTY section.  Numlok
off, the normal setting gives you numbers and mathematical operators, while
turning it on, somewhat of an oddity in terminology, gives you dirrectional
arrow and navigational keys.  Since the computer knows whether you invoked
the <down arrow> function by using the dedicated <down arrow> key or the one
in the numeric keypad with numlok on, since the function is invoked by
sending a different keyboard code to the CPU, some of our screen reader
producers, have taken advantage of the feature.  Probably the most familiar
examples would be how the DOS screen reader, ASAP, uses the numeric keypad
for screen navigation functions and its own screen reader commands; and how
the Windows-based screen readers like JFW and Window-Eyes use it for command
functions, navigation, and simulation of mouse actions.

I think it is no accident that the computer industry did not choose to call
the key a "shift lock" instead of their chosen term, "caps lok" considering
the actual function of the key.

It is bad enough that too much of the typewriter era nomenclature carried
over to the computer keyboard.  Myh favorite example for that one is
"return" key often used interchangeably for "enter".  On the old electric
typewriter, the "return" key did just that, returned the carriage to the
left margin position and rolled the paper up to start the next line of type.
 The computer's "enter" key can do that, especially in most word processors
and text editors, by sending a nonprintable command to the document that
lets the printer know when to perform that old carriage return function.
But the key on the computer keyboard goes so much further in that it also
the key to "enter" information to a program and especially to tell the CPU
to actually perform or "execute" a given command once its information has
been written out with the other keys.

Reply to: [log in to unmask]
Brent Reynolds, Atlanta, GA  USA

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