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
- no normal backspace option - 100 bucks plus a lot in EU shipping and import duties(thanks to 250$ MSRP going on the documents) for a PCB and a bent plate - layout found only on 1337gam0rz keyboards dubbed "Hacker"(and then saying that it's Japanese, even though it's nowhere near JIS) - offering the said broken(good luck getting a 6x spacebar anywhere else) layout and not offering leftwinkey-less, which not only would be actually workable with custom caps(1.5,1.5,7,1.5,1,1,1.5), but is also actually better for gaming than the 1337gam0rz layout, because there's no useless key between Ctrl and Alt - no LED holes
This had makings of an awesome keyboard, but you've ruined it completely.
On a second thought, i think this keyboard isn't ment for you, or you can't see the somehow unique approach: Full Keyboard Layout Customization, maybe read this chapter again.
On a third thought, i would like to know your description of an Ergodox.
Cheers
Layout customization is hardly a unique feature in DIY boards like this, any board using a teensey will use open source firmware that can be customized to your heart's content, and many of the firmwares have configurators.
That's what I thought...
Get involved and you'll have it!
(2) What aspect did you think was the “makings of an awesome keyboard”?
(3) The point of this whole project is to allow making new keyboard layouts with short development time (on order 1–2 months instead of the standard 6–18 months) in small-ish batches (i.e. dozens or hundreds). Note that the layout used here was one that won a poll... if you think it’s ruined, blame all the folks who voted in the poll. If you have a particular layout you want, I recommend you spec it out and try to build some support. It should be more than possible to make your own specific dream happen in the future.
2) fully programmable alps
3) well that's reassuring