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
Edit (9-17) - Received a replacement CTRL which also has a failed LED in the underglow.
Edit (10-3) - I've now received two replacement CTRLs, both of which have the same kind of LED failures as the first one. Rather than go for a refund (as I like the board apart from the LED issues), I've disassembled two of them and swapped LEDs around to make one working unit. Getting one unit with defects I can understand. Getting two with the same defect I can even accept, though it's frustrating. Getting three, all failing in exactly the same way is beyond maddening and frankly unacceptable quality control, especially considering bad LEDs are so easy to test for. Now I have to pack up the other two bad ones and ship them back to Massdrop, but I do finally have a fully working keyboard.
Mine is front and center between my hands/under the spacebar which is super irritating.