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    Removing the Caps->Backspace mod in XKB Colemak implementations

    • Started by candrew
    • 1 Replies:
    • Reputation: 1
    • Registered: 27-Jun-2024
    • Posts: 1
    06-Jan-2026 11:00:25#1 Removing the Caps->Backspace mod in XKB Colemak implementations

    Hi everyone,
    I have created a merge request to remove the Caps Lock -> Backspace mod in XKB implementations of Colemak (all variants, including Rulemak), leaving Caps Lock as-is by default. This is primarily to make Colemak more approachable and useful for beginners.
    It can still obviously be re-enabled as an XKB option for those who want to use it.

    Also note that some language-specific variants did not have the Caps -> Backspace mod before.

    This post is to see what everyone thinks and to notify those who use the Caps Lock -> Backspace remap in XKB of potential future surprises!
    Keeping comments here to keep the XKB thread clean would also be appreciated.

    Thanks!

    https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/xkeyboar … quests/872

    Last edited by candrew (06-Jan-2026 11:33:35)
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    • Reputation: 24
    • From: Belgium
    • Registered: 26-Feb-2008
    • Posts: 485
    08-Jan-2026 22:23:57#2 Re: Removing the Caps->Backspace mod in XKB Colemak implementations

    As already mentioned on github, I'm not in favor of this change.  And a poll on this forum or on Discord, where advanced layout modders hang out, is perhaps not very representative for a silent majority of Colemak users who are happy with the (long-established) defaults? :)

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