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 tried putting them under a couple of heavy books for several days to flatten them out, but it had no lasting effect - they went right back to being curled.
I haven't used them in anger yet - all I've been able to do is to rub them longingly and imagine what it will be like once my keyboards are here and built... but my initial reaction is that I slightly prefer the feel of the nylon over the smooth.
I did put them in front of my current keyboard for a few minutes and the "cupping" wasn't really that noticeable. To me, it's more of an aesthetics problem than anything else.
The manufacturer could perhaps compensate for this by stretching the foam on the bottom slightly before gluing on the top layer - it would then tend to "snap back" to its normal position and counteract the (apparent) tendency of the top layer to curl up. But that may be much easier said than done.