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
You can see an animation of the clears here, http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_Clear. So there's a spring that's keep the key held up (instead of the "domeness" of a dome style key) and once you press down to a certain point you'll feel and hear a bump. at which point you don't have to apply any more downward pressure. Reason I mention this is back when I used dome keyboards what annoyed me is the spongy feel the keys had and also some times the keys didn't actually register.
Closest you've probably experienced mechanical keyboards are in laptops. Some of those keyboards use what's called a scissor switch which gives a mechanical like feedback. My current keyboard at home is a logitech solar K750. At work I have a mac and so just use a mac keyboard. Not saying if you like laptop keyboards you'll like mechanical (plus a lot of them now are membrane ones anyway) but it's the closest readily available comparison I could give.