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
# Massdrop community suggestion to ikbc engeneers about the New Poker II (aka ikbc Poker II):
As you maybe know peoples are complaining about how the layer and macro system works. This try to regroup a final proposition and we all hope you will consider it to make the layers easier to use.
Programing layers the current way is fine:
Select your layer using Fn+Shift, start programing a macro using Fn+Ctrl, <any letter>, <sequence of letter>, Pn, then Fn+Ctrl again to quit programming mode.
This is fine and very intuitive by the way. Good job on this. :)
We have two problems with this keyboard:
1) Default Fn macros can't be reprogrammed.
Please let users customize Fn+<letter> with any letter.
This will be fixed by the next firmware you are working on and supposed to be delivered in 3 weeks/a month. (Thanks a lot for this by the way :) ).
2) Layer 1, 2 and 3 are not accessible from default layer.
We don't want to type Fn+Shift to switch layers while we are typing:
* Type something (default layer) * Fn+Shift (layer 1) * Use your macro (often a single key) * Fn+Shift (layer 2) * Fn+Shift (layer 3) * Fn+Shift (default layer) * Continue to type * Repeat
This break the flow a lot and make layers actually unusable.
We want to access layers the following way. While typing in default layer:
<letter> for default layer <Fn+letter> Fn macro (the next firmware you are working on a supposed to be delivered in 3 weeks/a month). <Pn+letter> execute letter macro of Layer 1 <Pn+Fn+letter> execute letter macro of Layer 2 <Fn+Pn+letter> execute letter macro of Layer 3 (suggestion)
This mean you can access any layer without switching from the default layer. :)
This, of course, bring those limitations which are perfectly fine:
We can't reprogram Fn+RShift because (of course) we still needed to switch layers to program (default, 1, 2, 3).
Fn+R can't be reprogrammed in any layer as it's the only way to reset the current layer. But as the keyboard allow to switch Fn and Pn key, we think it's not a big limitation.
Don't hesitate to to sign up on the Massdrop page of the product if you have any question.
This keyboard is awesome, very solid and very good build quality, please fix those firmware problems and make it a pleasure to use.
I suspect this might be harder to implement than the other suggestions and it isn't a dealbreaker ... however, I do think this will allow for many more convenient use cases.
That the point 2) I suggest:
<letter> for default layer <Fn+letter> Fn macro (the next firmware you are working on a supposed to be delivered in 3 weeks/a month). <Pn+letter> for Layer 1 <Pn+Fn+letter> for Layer 2 <Fn+Pn+letter> for Layer 3 (suggestion)
This mean if you want to use Pn+Fn+t you program "t" in layer 2.
Good day. Here is a good news, we think we already have had some solution, we will try to do some modifications on below 2 points. 1. Do Macro on Fn layer. 2. Change switching type to Fn+ Default /Layer 1/layer 2/ Layer 3. We need around 2 weeks to modify this firmware then we will release it on IKBC web-site. thanks.
I'm still not sure about what they mean with point 2. I'm affraid I will have to do Fn+ (let's say) 1 to be in layer one, Fn+2 to be in layer 2 etc. It doesn't seems to be the direct macro access like Pn + letter for executing macro of layer 1, Pn+Fn+letter for executing macro of layer 2 etc.
New Features include:
- Fn layer now supports Macros - You can now move any pre-programmed Fn key to any other key, for example:
Arrow keys are pre-programmed by default on WASD keys by pressing Fn + any of these keys.
You can now move the arrow keys on the Fn layer to any other key, example below:
- Select a layer (1,2,3) by pressing Fn + C,V or B - Press Fn + right CTRL to enter the programming mode - Press Fn + the key you want to move the arrow to, for example Fn + L - Press Fn + W to move the Up arrow to the L key, or A for left arrow, or S or D - Press Pn key to save your change - Press Fn + right CTRL to exit the programming mode
Repeat this sequence to move any Fn layer key around (note that you don't have to exit the programming mode every time, you can simply keep on moving keys around after you have pressed the Pn key to save your modification).
- Fn + Shift + ESC now inputs ~ - Fn + ESC now inputs `
- Fn + Z switch automatically to Default layer. - Fn + C/V/B allows you to access the layers 1/2/3 - Fn + Right Shift still allows you to switch between layers
Here are the problems:
- Default layer is still not programmable. As stated, you MUST be in a particular layer (1, 2 or 3) to use macro (This is not the biggest issue). - You still need to switch layers manually (switch layer -> your macro -> switch to default) while all I wanted was a way to access layer using shortcuts, not switching. :(
Pn key is still useless (Only used to saved a programmed macro).
I will not write again what I we were expecting. I read again and think it's clear: Pn+<letter> = macro at <letter> on layer 1. Fn+Pn+<letter> = macro on <letter> on layer 2. All of this from default layer. I don't want to spend my time switching between layers.
I think they miss the point. I give up, I hope others will enjoy the firmware update but I'm a little sad TBH...