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
π VERIFY HIGH RESOLUTION RENDERS AND READ MORE ABOUT THE KITS IN THE LINK BELOW π https://mitormk.com/s00n
Welcome to the drop page, I hope you're excited for the Laser GMK project!
During the upcoming weeks we will be offering exclusive collaborations to celebrate the Laser culture. Exciting side drops will take place between some known community members and Massdrop. Other independent community creators/contributors will be expressing their creativity and passion for our project too, following their own terms.
We would like to thank every single one of you for the incredible support during the development phase, and we expect you all to have a very pleasant and unique experience with the Laser universe. We wanted to do justice to our keyset manufacturer capabilities, so everything we are presenting was conceived following top quality industry guidelines and state of the art technology, the best we can possibly offer so you can enjoy the purple hype.
Laser is filled with cultural references and it inspired me and JoTo to write together a cyberpunk short story dedicated to the project. Hands on Deck - The Laser GMK Short Story by MiTo and JoTo is debuting Nov. 3rd on my website. You'll have the chance to support independent artists and dive deep inside the universe we shaped. At the same time, I'm gonna be offering limited edition trinkets that I prepared myself here in Brazil and I hope you enjoy them. This is going to be the Laser Shoppo grand opening!
Outatime! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FAQ:
> What kits I need to fill my keyboard?
In order to cover the vast majority of MX stem keyboards you'll most likely need the Cyberdeck kit at the very least, but lots of 60% and mini layouts can be covered with a combination of Gaijin/Kobe + Blocknet, and even more form factors can be covered with the addition of the Mitowaves. Depending on your specific layout, such as the Planck and Preonic, the Spacebars kit may be required so please double check before placing your order. Split keyboards can be covered with Gaijin/Kobe + Ergo and European layouts will be covered with the combination of Cyberdeck + Euro. The Mitowaves kit is entirely optional and if you are a Colemak/Dvorak user you already know you're covered.
> What happened to the arcade references from the novelties kit?
We decided to not offer those designs due to licensing restrictions, since they strongly resembled famous video game characters.
> Why *insert keycap* is missing from the Euro kit?
Because according to the data we collected during the past 4 years, the demand for European kits has been always underwhelming, in the grand scheme of things, representing a minority. They result in extra costs for everyone and offering complex international kits tend to result in logistic and fulfillment errors as they add a significant degree of complexity to the manufacturing and sorting process. As a result, only the most popular European layouts are covered, with the bare minimum number of keycaps to make it functional, following the most simplistic aesthetic theme present in the keyset.
> What's the *insert design* symbol present in the Mitowaves kit?
All of the designs are either '80s/retrowave/cyberpunk or short story references!
> What's the matter with the Blocknet kit?
Those came from Canvas XDA, we figured the community would enjoy a futuristic and aesthetically pleasing iconography to replace the modifiers. So we adapted the convention and ported some elements to the Cherry doubleshot profile. Below you can see a tiny example about how I arrived at the CONTROL design. If there's enough interest I can go ahead and provide a full breakdown.
> Why are the Japanese kits designed the way they are?
For the Gaijin kit, the current manufacturing methods that exist do not permit triple shot plastic injection, as a result all legends are the same color. It celebrates the busy cyberpunk aesthetics. As for the Kobe kit, it exists to represent the beautiful Japanese minimalism.
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Thanks for checking this post, I hope it provides some guidance to this wave!
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EDIT: AND JOINED :D
QQ for you - Any way 1.5U Escape and Delete keys can be added to cover the Vortex Race 3?
PBT > ABS either. Many people in the community prefer ABS over PBT, or POM over both. Cap material, when good quality, is all preference.
This set just clearly isn't for you, but it is a killer deal for what is provided and a set that many people have been waiting for a long time.
It ain't gonna be cheap.
Many like the loud enter, many like the normal. I prefer the normal, so im happy with the way Mito is doing it. No matter what, half of people will be happy/unhappy either way.
and my wallet
if " β’ β’ " is the control symbol, and " >__ " is the super symbol, then why is the r3 control key using the super symbol? It wasn't like this in canvas.
It also seems a little strange to have a stepped control key included, but not stepped caps lock.
Yes, this is actually the SYSTEM (WIN/CODE) symbol and the double dot is indeed CONTROL. We don't have a R3 CONTROL keycap on Blocknet kit, only CAPS LOCK, FN, FN and ENTER, respectively.
Thanks for the response.
Pity... many vi/tmux users remap caps lock to control. This could have been a big win.
Pity... many vi/tmux
Sorry about the vi/tmux reference. If you prefer the aesthetic of a terminal, you may find Vim or tmux very interesting (assuming you're operating on a Mac/Linux machine).
I've set up a poll to see which one is more common. It should prove interesting provided it gets enough votes. www.strawpoll.me/14329938
Regardless, it's really not a big deal to have a slightly different icon.
Laser looks excellent and I really appreciate your prompt and informative responses. I plan on buying all the sets aside from Euro and Colevrak. Thanks again!
I know there a pink 7u, but that doesnβt really match blocknet at all.
Not gonna stop my purchases, but I think you made the wrong call on that one. I bet if you ran a poll Control would beat FN 2:1.
Control only acts as control.
The interpretation of the legend label by the user is the most important thing, and from an aesthetic and logical standpoint Fn is the better choice since it acts as both.
Doesnβt make sense to have another Control keycap on the keyboard, the bottom row already contains two.
Itβs not about making polls, by your logic 33% of the customers would be disappointed. Itβs about making the most logical and aesthetic call since this is a visual product that must please the majority of users, on average.
Also, why is the stepped key a FN key?
I also use the control on all my boards that have tsangan mods for consistency. I will probably just use the capslock key since it will clash the least with the look, but its just unfortunate.
Of the gmk sets I own, the following have R3 ctrl: Yuri Electric Bluegaloo Mods Magenta Dolch Mods Hyperfuse Redux Skeletor True Olivetti Ocean Dolch Iris Hydro Coniferous Pink Originative Accent Kit Cyan Originative Accent Kit Purple Originative Accent Kit Sky Dolch Red Honey Demonic Dolch Reborn Icon Mods Miami Nights
The following have R3 fn:
Do you see the trend?
I totally understand where you are coming from, but you are removing what is essentially a standard key to add one that no other set has. The reason people are seen to be asking for R3 FN more than R3 Control, is no one usually has to ask for R3 Control. Like I said before, you made the wrong call here.
+1
And if you want to get technical, at this point 40% users are more common than people with Duck Vipers or similar HHKB formats that are able to use MX keycaps.
Also once again, R3 Control is already included in the base kit. Child kits are only extensions of main kit coverage in GMK kits.
What layout is it you think this is even helping? For any 40% I can think of it would need a 1.5u or 1.25u fn key.
I dont use 40%. i use 60/65%. the point of using caps lock control is not because of the blockers, itβs because once you get used to caps lock control, you have a very hard time using anything else.
For example:
i was planning to buy multiple blocknet sets to cover all the Japanese sets I want, I would either have to use a wrong legend, or I guess I could do as you say and use the control from base, except then it would look like trash and I would only be able to use either the base or Japanese set at a time. I really donβt wanna have to swap keys.
Congrats on your preference to using Control instead of Caps Lock in that space. One is included in the base kit just for you. Novelties like alternate mods aren't really there to cater to that same need. At the end of the day, there are no 'wrong legends' with complete new, custom symbol legends anyway. Your personal preference was not the guiding light in the creation of these kits.
That means if I buy for example buy 3 base kits and 2 of each japanese kit and 4 blocknet kits, I would have no option but to either use the wrong legend, OR buy 4 EXTRA base kits just for ctrl keys that DONT MATCH. OR I could only use my 7 keyboards worth of kits to cover 3 keyboards. I shouldn't have to spend $110 per control key just to use Gaijin/Kobe with the legends correctly aligned.
You have also ignored my question. What 40% does this help? There are 3 GMK sets I am aware of (Terminal, LedZep and Coniferous) that happen to contain R3 FN keys at all, and NONE of them are 1.75u keys. All are 1.25 or 1.5u as that is what 40% boards use. I'm not actually aware of a single GMK kit that has ever included a 1.75u FN key. I'm sure there is one though. So what is your argument? It should use a 1.75u R3 FN key so you can use it on R4 of a 40%? That's insane.
Also @MiTo to your earlier point. Many of us who use R3 Ctrl keys are used to having 3 of them on our boards without blockers. It looks unusual for these keys to not have matching legends. Plus, unless I'm missing something, for any board using the R3 Fn you will always have 3 of the same legend on board anyway as you will have both win keys and the fn key. And IMO, this is far worse than 3 ctrl keys, as at least with 3 ctrl keys they are actually all 3 control keys. With the FN key you have the R3 fn, the R4 win key and the R4 fn key all sharing the same legend. Unless I'm missing something the ONLY alternative there would be to also add novelties to replace the win keys.
I'm not trying to force you to do anything, I love the set either way, but you are WRONG. There are 2 different alternate caps lock keys, ctrl and fn. Ctrl is FAR more common, so why does the set use FN? To be honest, my suspicion is that YOU use FN there, because nothing else really makes sense to me. And if that's the case, tbh I'm fine with that. Like I said, I can deal with just using capslock. But don't act like it is the better choice because there will be 3 of the same legend, that happen regardless since FN and Win already share legends.
The one change I DO think you should make is convert the stepped key to a caps lock. Stepped keys for functional caps don't really make sense. I don't think stepped ctrl would make sense either.
The comment on 40% has nothing to do with usage, and everything to do with 'niche layouts are niche layouts' but I guess that was missed in how I worded it. Point is the base kit has you covered, and novelty add-ons aren't there to satisfy your particular niche layout other than adapter kits specifically (International, Spacebars, etc).
Unfortunately when it comes to drops at this stage, kits are also final.
CTRL vs FN, I lean toward CTRL, but could see it go either way.
Changing from 1 key to another in the same profile doesn't effect pricing cause they just change the legend plate in the mold before they make the keys. If anything the 1.75u fn key would cost more since I'm not actually sure if GMK currently HAVE a R3 1.75u legend plate.
I'd rather NOT pay for 1.75u FN keys that no one will use. If I have to use the caps lock key I will, but the FN key is worthless to almost everyone.
The icon mods CAN BE USED as an extension for the base kit, but in this instance, that is not their intended purpose, they were added specifically for the japanese modifiers:
The reason the kit includes all the keys it does is so you can use it on a 60% with the japanese kits without the base kit. Why else do you think they japanese kits include a spacebar that are also in the base kit? Doesn't make any sense for an extension.
Regardless, the base kit DOES NOT have me covered as I don't want English on my hiragana boards. I also don't want incorrectly duplicated legends. On boards with blockers I can use novelties in place of win keys / fn keys and then just use the "fn key" as a ctrl key. But with any normal 60/65%, I'm forced to choose which legends I want to have wrong.
If there was a reason for this, that would be fine, but the reason being the set includes a 1.75u fn key that like 4 ppl will actually use just doesn't make sense to me. If anything neither fn or ctrl should be included and it should just be assumed that the caps lock icon is whatever you want it to be. What I don't understand is paying for a key almost no one wants when there is a much more useful key that could take its place.
Had the icon mods been presented during the interest check, I'm sure this discussion would have already happened.
@OracleKev - The Blocknet kit wasnβt designed for full sizes or even TKLs, thatβs why they only cover 60% layouts!
I just realized I will actually end up with 4 of the same key on my board for 3 different things as I use split right shift and that would be another >__ key, on a 3rd row no less.
I think the thing you are ignoring is that I have Tsangan mods, not blockers. I can't use 1u controls with 1.5u controls, that would look awful. Only 2 of the 3 keys are offered in 1.5u, so there is no alternative.
So the ONLY option I have is to use 1.5u ctrl, 1u win/fn 1.5alt 7u 1.u alt 1u win/fn 1.5u ctrl. On the row above I will have another win/fn for my split shift and then I can either use caps lock, which while functional doesn't really make sense for me, or add a 4th fn key. For the boards with blockers, you are correct, there are alternatives, but there's not really any options at all if you use 7u on a standard 60%.
Hopefully the novelties make it to the lowest price so I can just buy 1 per board, that way I can at least use suns for win/fn keys and then fn and control won't match anything else. But it still doesn't make sense.
You also still didn't answer, why is the stepped key a FN key and not a capslock? That one makes no sense to me at all.
Either way, I'm done arguing. Why you want to go with the lesser used an completely non standard (for a gmk set) fn key over the control key (offered with just about every gmk set) is beyond me, but its your set to design. I do think you are ignoring some of the limitations of the compromises you made, but not much I can do.
To be honest what I really don't get is why you were so frugal with the sets, and number of kits, it would have been so easy to add a few keys or make 1 more kit and it all still would have hit moq. You are omitting odd things for no reason given the level of moqs your drops are hitting. Why I can't buy more purple spacebars is beyond me. Spacebars shine earlier than other keys, and this is a custom color so it's not like I can just go buy more of them. Spacebar kits never struggle to hit moq, especially not on MD, you could have just done a purple and a pink spacebar kit, and it woulda gone fine. Could've even omitted the non-standard spacebars from the base to drop the price there for people who only need 6.25u.
I am kinda tempted to hit up GMK and see what would be involved with running an extension pack in the same colors. Maybe bring back Caps Loco, do a pink icon enter, 7u purple spacebar, maybe the alternate 6u spacebar, do a blocknet iso enter (or both colors), the missing keys for full jis, 1 more r4 novelty for 65%, and I still wanna do a Cruise Control key lol. Probably not all of them, but I bet it wouldn't be that hard to sell some extensions and add the odd bunch of keys that are missing, i guess if nothing else I could probably do 1 key at a time out of pocket.
Anyway, I'm done. I'm very happy you got this set made, and I still plan to spend a bunch on it. I'm just disappointed what could have been a perfect set is not, and it's not for any particular reason, there is just stuff that is missing. Maybe red samurai will add the missing molds and then a complete set could be done in R2.
Buy as many spacebars and other kits as you want or need, and sell the extra keys. Or, you know, don't.
Actually not, in that case I am advocating the layout below:
If you have a Tsangan bottom row you still would be covered by the Blocknet kit, only thing you have to do is either use the Caps Lock pictogram or Fn pictogram for the 1.75u R3 keycap. If your are okay with having 3 CONTROL binds in your keyboard I of course do respect that, but don't expect such a niche product to cover your particular case. Lots of people who have a Tsangan bottom row (and not blockers) tend to bind the 1.75u R3 to either Fn or sometimes even Caps Lock. In the example above you can sort of see that (except the render features a 6.25u SPACEBAR and long right SHIFT). This of course will vary but since calls must be made I went with overall the more aesthetically pleasing one.
I understand your slightly frustrated tone overall, and lots of assumptions were made. But stay cool my friend this is just a hobby and a novelty product. Although some of your points are valid, because you are purchasing a high end product, I think you should take it easy and relax a little. Try to understand we are trying to please people on average.
> You are omitting odd things for no reason given the level of moqs your drops are hitting. Why I can't buy more purple spacebars is beyond me. Spacebars shine earlier than other keys [...]
From this paragraph I think you are getting a little anxious, assuming things again. Be sure that I know the situation regarding spacebars, we've done quite a bunch of projects already at this point. We are less than one week into this drop and it was mentioned countless times that we have complimentary drops consisting of special things incoming. While they may not feature exactly what you want, very nice and appealing options will be made available. Just be patient and enjoy the ride!
An extension like you suggest would cause more trouble than good, the manufacturer is focused on delivering things that are far more important than snowflake-y additions. Additions that would only increase the logistics complexity and overall price points of the drop - for a small upside in comparison, which is making a 100% perfect product for a small audience. We felt that the options made available are already near perfection and that the price tags were on point. This is why we chose to offer what you see.
In conclusion, have in mind that we need your support to deliver an awesome product and all feedback your provided was taken into consideration and was very much appreciated. But if you stress too much you'll only harm your mood, I hope you understand and of course thanks a lot for the support!
Regardless, my issue is just thay you are omitting things, not because people wouldnβt buy them, because they would, but because they might be expensive or fail. A failed GB costs nothing. And maybe with some luck enough people would buy them to keep the prices reasonable. What is the worst outcome? Some random extra extension doesnβt hit moq? So what, no harm no foul. Not every kit needs to hit moq every time.
This IS a niche product. Is it really so wrong if it is a bit expensive from time to time. I just donβt think things should be omitted just because some people might complain they are expensive. No one would be forced to buy anything. And as I said before, the worst thay happens as they miss moq. oh no :P
In retrospect, perhaps we should have gone with an even more aggressive strategy, making more molds, adding more colors, more novelties, etc. But to be honest I think we are already pioneering quite a lot of things and the overall complexity of the project is already sky high.
I might argue that the BlockNet kit is snowflake-y itself, since it lacks the flexibility that standard modifiers from GMK usually include, e.g.: the Row3 Control key. I think this is the point that @Amnesia1187 is trying to make.
I will agree that they are just abstract pictograms, but you have done such a stellar job, that their meanings are intuitive and clear at a glance (once the end-user grasps the patterns utilized). Therefore, I'd also argue that substituting one pictogram for another lessens the simplistic beauty of the design. It's like swapping two sentences in a haiku... it may still read fine, but it's wrong and we all know it. Personally, it's going to create an "itch" for me, like the awful alignment of the legends on the angle brackets in Godspeed.
If iso makes the blocknet set too big and expensive for example, make a blocknet extension, worst case it doesn't hit moq or is expensive. I can still achieve a look that works, just not one that is perfect.
This way you can change the set without ever actually increasing the price, while gaining the funding needed for the extra caps.
I feel like this is just beating a dead horse at this point, but @MiTo, I hope you'll consider it. Blocknet is sorely missing R3 CONTROL and ISO ENTER.
1920 x780
-planck wallpapers for laser, canvas, granite here: https://imgur.com/a/CaUHO#jqwGxwS
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Posters are pretty neat-o too :) Super excited to get those printed out, def putting some up in muh workplace, fer sher.
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/aj9qmjg/
The specific years of production were 1983 -> 1987
Euro kit will be a harder sell though. Even without ISO enter, base kit for 180 shouldnt be any problems.
I like the way you and jrjr2 think.
Hope this helps.
And also, please promise me, that if you will ever going to make this in other profile, you will consider that new Matt3o's /dev/tty profile! I would love to see your masterpieces together (otaku-Kobe layout with large centered legends on spherical profile... ohh... sign me up any day of the week!) :)
Thanks again!
mitormk.com
Late emails wonβt happen again, I promise.
Whelp, maybe we'll both be pleasantly surprised "s00n" with a curveball Laser spinner Keycap from out of nowhere. Just couldn't do the Bubblegum.. Too much pink, going to start overtaking the purple.
A rotating sign for Phos noodles would be p legit imho
I actually just turned our spare bathroom into a makeshift painting booth to seal up my stickerbombed board lol.
Interested to see how the board turns out!
I'm pretty eager to see how Kobe looks myself so I'm just as anxious for this as everyone else :)
Msg me on reddit if you want to set something up /u/nzox
We went through over 20 different keycap colors, lots of testing and experimentation in order to nail the tones.
One color is still pending, the alphas base. We gonna confirm it very soon, thereβs a big batch coming. Production for kits that do not have this color already started and itβs going strong and looking good!