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
This requires the touch-typist to not only reach at an angle (which is different on every row) when leaving the home row. There have been keyboards which corrected this mistake since at least 1990, and I've enjoyed one (The TypeMatrix 2030) since 2006. I don't understand why manufacturers continue to copy the antiquated design. At some point "that's what people are used to" has to stop being mindlessly followed.
In fact, look at this example from this very site (it was visible on this page as I typed this comment).
I didn't choose this drop to come complain about keyboards in general -- I chose this drop to ask my question because it otherwise looks like a really awesome keyboard and it's not produced yet, so I was hoping there's a chance they'd make it better, or at least make that an option. And I'm still hoping there's a chance.
Regarding your latter analogy using windshields, that’s not even close to the situation. Consider that numerous people had learned how to type on the standard layout and it remains dominant. Ortholinear, while it may be more ergonomic / effective (which I have one myself but don’t have any particular preference or opinion, if you insist this to be a fact then citation is needed), remains a minor option because changing the paradigm is not going to happen overnight disregarding compatibility issues (in this case, muscle memory).
Perhaps comments would’ve been more favourable if you did not insist that ortholinear is an objectively “better” layout and dismiss the current one as a “mistake”, “antiquated“ or “mindlessly followed”. Especially so, considering an ortholinear layout would require a different design of PCB — and you are asking for something that has to be accounted for from the very early stages of development.
It won’t happen with (at least this version of) CTRL. I’d suggest carry on and find other options. I have an ErgoDox EZ for example and am quite happy with it myself, although I frequently switch boards / switches.