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
Earlier this year they had issues with a Cooler Master keyboard as well, took almost 5 months to receive it but the difference is that the updates came quite often after the first delay. The vendor also had representatives come on and interact with the buyers but that's a little more understandable since CM is quite a big company compared to whoever is making this board. A manufacturer that Massdrop has yet to confirm.
In that drop Massdrop did right by everyone and to those who just became increasingly upset with the delays they gave us the option to opt out for a similar board which made me appreciate the customer support but that is simply not the case this time around.
I'm not sure if its because of the rep that is in charge of the drop this time around or just because its a vendor that is simply unproven as of yet but what really bothers me is the complete lack of transparency from Massdrop. I'd imagine at the very least when they got the 90 boards that were shipped out today they would have let us know that they consisted of Gateron switches, but no, all we got from the update was that there were 90 boards.
Last week they had a meeting on Monday, presumably they had the information from the Friday update by Tuesday yet decided to not let us know until the last minutes of Friday. People have been asking questions left and right and the rep over the drop is nowhere to be found. People are offering to pay to get the boards without keycaps and no one from Massdrop can tell us if that would at all be feasible.
At this point I've waited too damn long for this board to back out, but looking forward I think I would rather pay a premium from another site but get my product within a reasonable time frame. This will likely be the last transaction with Massdrop due to the lack of communication on their end. Sad really, I like the stuff the site carries but if drops will be handled in this manner it's just unacceptable.