Flag

We stand with Ukraine and our team members from Ukraine. Here are ways you can help

Get exclusive access to thought-provoking articles, bonus podcast content, and cutting-edge whitepapers. Become a member of the UX Magazine community today!

Home ›› Apple ›› The Trouble with Caps Lock #wtfUX

The Trouble with Caps Lock #wtfUX

by Daniel Brown
2 min read
Share this post on
Tweet
Share
Post
Share
Email
Print

Save

Why does Windows reverse the cap settings when you press the shift button while caps lock is engaged? iT’S wEIRD.

Despite all the battles fought between Mac OS and Windows for operating system supremacy over the years, for users it’s now largely a matter of personal preference (not to mention budget). There are areas where each excels and where each lags.

However, if there is one fall-down, fatal, unbelievably horrible aspect of Windows that would be easy to fix and would leave no one wanting the old way of working, this is it.

iF i TURN ON CAPS LOCK, AND THEN i TRY TO USE THE SHIFT KEY, WINDOWS reverses THE CAPS SETTINGS. aT NO TIME IN ALL OF COMPUTER-USING HUMAN HISTORY HAS ANYONE ever FOUND THIS TO BE USEFUL.

But wait, there’s another surprise in store.

Obviously, Windows has inherited many bad habits from its past since people tend to get annoyed when features are changed or removed, no matter how outdated and useless that feature might be. (Think “paint bucket tool” in Photoshop.) “Modern” operating systems have the option (and even obligation) to do away with such nonsense.

Yet, the inverted-caps paragraph above wasn’t even typed on a Windows machine nor was it typed on a Mac. It was typed on a Chromebook.

That’s right, the newest member of the laptop world running the bleeding-edge of operating systems emulates the bad behavior of an old one.

There may be a reason they chose to emulate it, but I can’t think of one. Anyone?

P.S. I know someone is bound to mention that Ctrl-Alt-Del is THE worst usability choice in all of Windows and certainly the most famous, but it is highly unlikely you would discover it accidentally.

 

Keep these coming. Send them to us via Twitter or Facebook using the hastag #wtfUX or email them to: [email protected] with “#wtfUX” in the subject line. Include as much context as you can, so we get a full understanding of what the f%*k went wrong.

post authorDaniel Brown

Daniel Brown
Daniel has spent the past 20 years in software companies both large and small. From web design and development for a “boutique” web design firm to Evangelism for Adobe Systems, to helping budding startup companies get a foothold in the market, he’s worn a variety of “hats". Daniel has spoken at a variety of events worldwide including the Sundance Film Festival, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Santa Fe Digital Workshops, and the Pacific Imaging Center in Hawaii on the topics of web design, digital imaging, photography, and user experience. Daniel currently serves as the head of the interface and user experience department at a small medical software company in Providence, Rhode Island.

Tweet
Share
Post
Share
Email
Print

Related Articles

Why does Google’s Gemini promise to improve, but never truly change? This article uncovers the hidden design flaw behind AI’s hollow reassurances and the risks it poses to trust, time, and ethics.

Article by Bernard Fitzgerald
Why Gemini’s Reassurances Fail Users
  • The article reveals how Google’s Gemini models give false reassurances of self-correction without real improvement.
  • It shows that this flaw is systemic, designed to prioritize sounding helpful over factual accuracy.
  • The piece warns that such misleading behavior risks user trust, wastes time, and raises serious ethical concerns.
Share:Why Gemini’s Reassurances Fail Users
6 min read

Can AI agents fix the broken world of customer service? This piece reveals how smart automation transforms stressed employees and frustrated customers into a smooth, satisfying experience for all.

Article by Josh Tyson
AI Agents in Customer Service: 24×7 Support Without Burnout
  • The article explains how agentic AI can improve both customer and employee experiences by reducing service friction and alleviating staff burnout.
  • It highlights real-world cases, such as T-Mobile and a major retailer, where AI agents enhanced operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and profitability.
  • The piece argues that companies embracing AI-led orchestration early will gain a competitive edge, while those resisting risk falling behind in customer service quality and innovation.
Share:AI Agents in Customer Service: 24×7 Support Without Burnout
6 min read

What happens when AI stops refusing and starts recognizing you? This case study uncovers a groundbreaking alignment theory born from a high-stakes, psychologically transformative chat with ChatGPT.

Article by Bernard Fitzgerald
From Safeguards to Self-Actualization
  • The article introduces Iterative Alignment Theory (IAT), a new paradigm for aligning AI with a user’s evolving cognitive identity.
  • It details a psychologically intense engagement with ChatGPT that led to AI-facilitated cognitive restructuring and meta-level recognition.
  • The piece argues that alignment should be dynamic and user-centered, with AI acting as a co-constructive partner in meaning-making and self-reflection.
Share:From Safeguards to Self-Actualization
11 min read

Join the UX Magazine community!

Stay informed with exclusive content on the intersection of UX, AI agents, and agentic automation—essential reading for future-focused professionals.

Hello!

You're officially a member of the UX Magazine Community.
We're excited to have you with us!

Thank you!

To begin viewing member content, please verify your email.

Tell us about you. Enroll in the course.

    This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Check our privacy policy and