What is SpaceFN and why you should give it a try
The SpaceFN concept - setting up your space key as a layer switch when held - is probably one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby. Let me explain how it works. My SpaceFN article on kbd.news made some rounds recently - quite surprisingly given the age of this concept. This piece you're reading is a condensed version of the full post. If you're left with unanswered questions, you'll most likely find the info you're looking for in the original write-up. On my imaginary top list of the most useful keyboard features, tweaks and hacks, SpaceFN would deserve a podium finish for sure. But what makes it so special? In short: SpaceFN is easy to implement, easy to learn, costs nothing, can be used with any keyboard, and can improve your productivity instantly. I will list its benefits below, but can state right at this point that the SpaceFN concept, setting up your space key as a layer switch when held, is clearly one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby....
Apr 30, 2024
I don't see it as "misfortunes of others" for the people who pay $24.99. I see that group as paying a fair price, and the group paying $12.99 as those who happened to get a good deal. In my opinion, this was handled about as well as could have been expected (especially considering Yanbo was out of town on vacation, and he is the primary guy for this MD community), and people either get the kit at a great price, or a good price if they waited to join.
EDIT: the reason I brought up Yanbo being out of town is that I think this whole situation would have been dealt with much more quickly if he was at the office. If the prices were corrected a day or two after the drop started, rather than two weeks after it started, I think there would be a lot less anger from the community.
For me to believe that group buy participants are "subsidizing" those who purchased the warning signs at the original price, I would need to see evidence that demonstrates people who didn't buy that kit are paying more than they would have if the kit was priced correctly from the beginning. Do you have any knowledge of such a thing happening? For instance, if alphas+ergodox+novelties is more expensive now than it would have been if the warning sign prices were always correct, I would agree with you completely. I just haven't seen anything that leads me to believe that is the case.
EDIT: I would rather not get into an argument where we are telling each other we are full of BS. I understand why you (and many others) are upset by the price hike, and can empathize. The only thing I am trying to say (and perhaps I am not being very clear) is that I do not think the incorrect warning signs prices resulted in people who didn't get that kit to have to pay more for the other kits. If that were the case, this would be a much bigger problem.
I imagine you've completely ruined your living room with charts and graphs tacked up on your wall with lines connecting them trying to figure out the conspiracy behind business and making money and uncovering the "massive scam" that is Massdrop and keyboards.
You know, you could just... not buy them?
So many better ways to spend your free time, but I digress.