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
Packaging: 4/10 (product packaging is fine, if a bit cheap feeling. If the box was 2 sided white cardboard, not brown inside, it'd feel a lot more premium. But the distributor they used, garbage. Should have put some, any, void fill in their box, used a thicker outer box, something.) ————————————————————— the board itself, was preassembled--a nice touch, if inconvenient since I wanted different switches anyways (going to put linjärs in). Alas, that's where the kudos stop. The board is much lighter looking in person than in the renders. More authentic feeling of a color, sure, but not...expected. What is absolutely an issue though is that it arrived damaged. Scratched in the corner, a decent sized pit on the front, specks in the powdercoat, the FCC label isn't on straight, and the serial is just a sticker, not engraved in any way. There is minor (totally forgivable) pitting in a few places, most noticable on the enter novelty since the reflection draws attention to it.
Manufacturing quality: 8.5/10 (good but not quite what I'd expect from a "massdrop x " product, with their large experience) I sent a ticket in to support regarding the issues. We'll see what options they come back with. ————————————————————— I haven't even bothered plugging it in yet, the keymap on the (totally not custom at all, disappointingly) info sheet looks strange (PL;' arrows? wtf) and with the apparrent software oversight, I'll just wait til I can reprogram it. Kinda surprised that even with the >2 month extension, the configurator wasn't finished in time for delivery, (but hey they were busy with a terrible rebranding decision and kinda obvious market pivot) Probably best ignore that parenthetical, it was a little passive-agressive.... Product experience: 2/10 (Software and timing, just hard to give anything better with a massdrop x product, qmk being so actively supported, and the extra time before delivery.)