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
Which means you can move a key, from say a lesser used key on the keyboard, like from an unused function key, into the spot of your most used key.. And you can also likely change key switch type within the keyswitch series, i suspect(and maybe cherry springs and or other switch parts).
So suddenly, you have much more going on here, and where the switches promise 50 million keystrokes, even if they fall short of that, you can move the switches around.
And not only that, but between you and I think that some of the parts, like the spring, must be interchangeable with cherry mx keyswitches, or at least the other switches in the OTM or maybe the Gaote PG150 switch series. Because I think these switches are a variant of the Gaote PG150Q11 switch.. no? Or is the OTM series completely incompatible with the PG150 series..? I suspect they likely share some kind of interoperability..
I think i seen those Gaote switches on ebay, 20 of them on a numpad for about 5 bucks, free shipping.. So, not only do you have a platform, where you can swap in keys up and around, but also there is a flood of these switches one can acquire inexpensively. Now, what does a traditional cherry board offer in comparison? For over 30 years in the keyboard business? A non-user serviceable board with eventual un-serviceable wear patterns.. Though i might be mistaken on that numpad, it could have been a different make.. if you really like and are quick i might be able to pull up the link.. for five chickens, a bag of barley, and a goat.
Now, I think it would be fare to say that the consumer keyboard market has grown, however and I'm not saying this keyboard is some sort, of grail, and I find it very displeasing the choice to have the pin configuration different from the cherry, and has me wonder why this was done, this must have been deliberate, and if maybe cherry threatened with a suit on some pin patent, or if someone is trying to make this product more restrictive so as to be subtly more expensive, in some fashion.. However I think the board brings alot to the table, and as an early example of it's kind, offering something most didn't bother to offer customers, a semi-servicable product(no replacement pcb..), as a welcome and competitive addition to the market..