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 know the history, I'm aware of it, I recognize it. It's simply not relevant to a collection of plastic pieces that you press into your keyboard. Does this not seem asinine to anyone else?
The Rising Sun is part of American culture, too--a rather large part of it. The USA has no fewer than 9 cities or towns named "Rising Sun", and countless communities, businesses, and even a summer camp for children suffering from autism--all bearing the name "Rising Sun". This is only a fraction of how deeply ingrained it is for us. To put it simply; the complaints I'm reading here are based on lived experiences that are NOT shared among the majority. We respect and empathize, but this does not mean we must BE you. The decision to remove the Rising Sun mods was based on the extremely angry, vocal complaints of the few, while the majority of people here do not see the Japanese flag OR the Rising Sun as a symbol of war anymore--despite having family members who fought one in which every piece of destroyed armament on that front bore the Red Sun insignia.
Never forget the atrocities that occurred--I'd never suggest otherwise, but that's the best any of us can do. To treat the rest of the world as if they are stupid and ignorant of history simply for disagreeing with you is belligerent and condescending; many of us know our history, have made peace with it as best we can, and will bear the burden until we die.
So let us have our fucking keyboard modifications that we think look neat so we can all continue to live in the first world, where freedom was traded, stolen, and earned by the blood-stained hands of our fathers. If you're even privileged enough to be reading this, you should be answering for what you've done rather than openly protesting on a "group buy" website about keyboards for christ's sake.
tl;dr: How you aren't disgusted with yourselves is beyond me. Massdrop: Bring back the Rising Sun mod or accept that you're willing to cater to the insipid complaints of hypocrites. If you think it ends here, you're wrong; if this decision stands, it's just the beginning.