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
I replaced mine with a better cable, and the problem seems to be much less pronounced. YMMV. I can *maybe* tell it's got a few finicky key issues...but nothing as bad as, say, the Amazon reviews beating on it. I honestly can't tell sometimes what MIGHT be a problem and what might be me not striking the keys correctly. I have a fairly light touch, sometimes, and a weird three-finger-per-hand method of touch typing.
Don't get me wrong, I love the keyboard layout, and the key actuation/feel. I actually still have it and have been considering lining my keyboard tray with foil or an electromagnetically opaque shield, but everytime I say something like that I feel a little ripped off. This is a 200$ keyboard, if interference is a problem the thing should be shielded...
If you have a pointer on the cable you used that was helpful, I'd gladly check it out.
Anecdote aside, what I'm getting at is that as far as audio cables go I really *do* think even a wireless mouse, or your WiFi signal to your router, someone microwaving a burrito next door, or a bazillion other things, might be enough to screw with the signal. Not the best choice of joining cables, to be sure. I also agree that the price tag should be more insurance against this kind of thing. I'm also not 100% that my own typing style isn't part of the problem. I'm half tempted to say that the issue has been worse depending on what application I'm typing in, but that sounds fairly ridiculous for a low level input device.
Regardless, I use this cable: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LVT4EW4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage FWIW, even the USB cable for the keyboard doesn't run behind my case where my WiFi antenna are.
Thanks for trying to help though :)
I mainly mentioned this as a warning for other Massdroppers. If you check reviews around people other than I have this problem. I wasn't willing to reconfigure my whole work station to accommodate a keyboard (and that's assuming their support team was accurate regarding the source of the problem and it just doesn't have a defect or something).
it is shocking that they still have the exact same problems they had what? a decade ago?
and it is not a cheap product. a little update would have been not only welcome but required at this point.
when my 3 last PS/2 naturals die, i will probably go full ergodox or similar.
Regarding the keyboard situation... I'm in the same boat :( I game so I was looking forward to the Matias (specifically for the "supposed" NKRO). It does do okay in that regard -- it registered everything I could foreseeably press at once but it isn't *true* NKRO (still had a cap in the 20-30 key range IIRC). I didn't notice any ghosts in my tests either. If it wasn't for the whole repeating key thing I could've really stood behind this board.
My PS/2 Natural died a year ago, so I've been on the hunt. I'm using a MS sculpt ergonomic for work currently and it's surprisingly okay...The "chiklet" scissor switches have a shorter throw and feel a little better than the rubber domes, but they're not as nice as mechanical switches still. Still need something to work for programming by day and slaying orcs by night for home tho. I guess it's the ergodox next, but the thumb cluster scares me a bit haha
Edit: Just retested the "NKRO" and ghosting. Ghosting seems minimal (you have to try to find it with a ton of keys), and seems like I can mostly only get 10-12 keys of rollover, but the "U" key stuck during the tests :/