I have a numpad, so I don't need the numbers at the top row. The only time I ever use those keys is when I need one of the symbols:

!@#$%^&*()

So, why not switch it? It doesnt have to be a new keyboard, it can just be a keymap change.
-- ironfroggy, Feb 21 2003

Programmer's Keyboard http://www.halfbake...mmer_27s_20keyboard
[Monkfish, Oct 04 2004]

When you toggle 'number lock', it should also toggle 'shift lock' on those keys. I like this.
Only mine are
!"£$%^&*()
-- angel, Feb 21 2003


I posted something similar to this a little while ago. Seems Monkfish was already kind enough to notice.
Although I think this is a nice time to bring it up - I've been doing a lot of PHP and MySQL work on my site over the last week, and I find it pretty annoying having to press shift every time I want to refer to a variable, enter a string, open an if/else statement, and such and such. HTML is a similar situation, with < and > on shifted keys.
If we can't have this, can't we at least have a shift lock?
-- Parvenu, Feb 21 2003


And mine are
!"#€%&/()=
-- FarmerJohn, Feb 21 2003


Another idea could be a "Shift Lock" which acts only on whatever button you wish. For example, hold Shift Lock and then press the < and > keys and shift is then locked for those two keys. Perhaps an LED in the key could indicate a shift lock. While we're at it, why not add a Control Lock, Meta Lock, etc... Or even a "Lock Combination" buton where you hold the LC button, then press two other buttons to signal the first should alway be pressed with the second.
-- ironfroggy, Feb 22 2003


Nice idea, but I beleive it already exist.

The french keyboard top row (excluding the f keys) is for symbols. You need to shift them to access the numbers.

Now you just need to convince your local computer retailer to order a few of theses. I can see the discussion: "Hi, I'd like to purchase a french keyboard." "O, are you french, your english is very good." "No no, I'm not french." "O, I see! You are learning french and would like to pratice your typing. Ah! L'amour." "What? No no, I dont know a single world of french. It's for coding!" "You code in french?" "No no, I code in <programing language of the week>." "...." "...in english!" "...."

The down side, french keyboards are AZERTY. But in a matters of days you will be at your old speed, and enjoy many shift less key strokes.
-- philippeqc, Apr 19 2004


Ever seen a Commodore PET?
-- supercat, Apr 19 2004


The Commodore PET used the top row of the keyboard for the characters !"#$%&'()< [where < is a left-arrow character] when unshifted, or funny Commodore-graphics characters when shifted. The only way to type numbers was via the numeric pad.
-- supercat, Apr 19 2004



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