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
sorry to tell you but 1.75u Backspace and 2u Backspace (for one of the Pearl layouts) are not included indeed.
I understand that it's impossible to accommodate every layout out there, but the 40's kit is 1 key away from fitting thousands of boards (minivan) - a huge portion of which were sold right here on Massdrop. I really hope that you will reconsider or that @YanboWu can pull some strings to ensure that products previously sold by Massdrop will be fully supported in the future.
No matter what you think or say you are putting your own personal conflicts ahead of the well being of the community members who support you. This is not a side-effect its a decision you made.
And no, I am not putting my 'personal conflicts/feelings' ahead of the well being of the community. It is exactly what I want to protect. The Van Keyboard has done a number of things that I felt hurt it, from advertising his own products in other peoples group buys, expecting favoritism from reddit moderators, to promoting clones of other peoples keyset designs via his own keycap profile. That is not exactly behavior that I am comfortable with to support.
I'm not going to continue to argue or give counterpoints to items you listed because that isn't the point. Right/wrong, good/bad - you shouldn't hold consumers accountable for the actions of a company, which is what you are doing.
You choosing to drop Minivan support may have some indirect impact on future Minivan sales and hurt the creator (which seems to be your intention), but it has a direct impact on every one of us who owns, loves, and uses a Minivan. That is you 100% putting your own personal conflict ahead of the community.
The keycap set here is a clone in a different profile from the original. You're doing the exact same thing you're criticizing hm for.
And if we are going to draw arbitrary lines in the sand, perhaps Matt3o owns the idea of designs based on classic computers and GMK Space Cadet is ripping off DSA Retro. I mean, really, where does this nonsense end?
Also, HuB was canceled--why are you even bringing it up? It made your argument sound like sour grapes.
I don't really have a dog in this fight as I don't have a personal interest in GMK Space Cadet. But I own a minivan, supported the HuB project, and also purchased SA Oblivion (including the 40bit kit to use w/ my minivan). If you want to do right by the community, you should just try and support the boards your fans/customers have and enjoy using and leave it at that.
Good luck with the group buy.
Something I love about the group buy process is that often consumers can have a dialogue with the creator and make the project better by considering their feedback. And, from perhaps from a selfish point of view, maybe you can come closer to hitting MOQ/price drops on 40s by making a simple kit revision here. You're not "supporting" a maker you dislike. You're supporting the section of our community that loves those boards and likes and admires the fine work that you have done on GMK Space Cadet.
I have a very high opinion of you and your work and hope that you'll consider changing your mind and adding the one key to 40s that will open this project to Minivan owners/lovers. Thanks for reading and considering.
I don’t have anything against anyone, this is a hobby for me. I develop my ideas with the community, express my creativity and leave it at that.
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/pulse-sa-keycap-set/talk/2033837?utm_source
Further, the way you just called out @MiTo was kind of strange, so I'm starting to get a little wary. I mean, you called him out on the other drop, and then you called him out in this one, as if he didn't comply when you called him out on the other one? Really weird. Are you trying to *pressure* people into supporting your product through these kinds of "call outs"? If so, then I'm not sure I'm okay with it. I'm still reserving judgment, though.
Anyway... to be honest, part of me wants to just buy the full set anyway so I don't have to even think about this drama. The full set will accommodate my Preonic and give me lots of options.