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
Please see an early post in this forum on how command line works. Basically all you need is an app or any window that can display text. No more software installation, programming or complicated "configurator" that works only on certain versions of certain OS. Our approach is truly platform independent and very simple to use. It is in the device itself so it will be there as long as the device exists (how many of you can still find the software to program you "programmable" keyboard bought a few years ago???).
I will just use this text window to demonstrate. I am going to create 3 key mappings:
1. remap key 1 in the keypad to volume plus (so potentially one can turn a keypad into a media center by remapping all the keys to media keys) 2. swap the left ALT key with the COM key (so you can use Apple keyboard in Windows and vise versa) 3. Remap the F6 key to generate the "hello world" string. I need to create a macro first.
I have the BT-500 connected to the keyboard I am typing on and to my computer (works with either USB or Bluetooth). I am about to press the mode button to enter command mode. Once entered, most texts below will be generated by the adapter. I am just typing the commands after the ">" prompt (and the macro).
Bluetooth Adapter Firmware v5.0.4 Copyright 2018 Handheld Scientific, Inc. Type help or ? > map add kp_1 vol+ one mapping is added > map add l_alt l_com one mapping is added > map add l_com l_alt one mapping is added > macro edit 0 Edit macro 0 Input key names separated by space. type "map names" for all names Press Enter or Return to end input. h e l l o space w o r l d input is done. 11 key recorded for macro 0 > map add f6 macro:0 one mapping is added > map All key mappings: 1: kp_1 -> vol+ 2: l_alt -> l_com 3: l_com -> l_alt 4: f6 -> macro:0 > exit Exit command mode
That is it. Now I have exited command mode. Use this online key tester to verify that the key mappings are indeed working: http://www.keyboardtester.com/tester.html. If you like the mappings to survive power cycles, you will need to go back to command mode to execute "save". There is even a command "map add dvorak" to instantly add all mappings to turn a Qwerty keyboard into a Dvorak one. Can't get cooler than this!