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'm definitely happy I didn't have any of the problems that others seem to be having so far with top plates being nonfunctional at best. The rubber feet also sit snugly on my desk, so movement doesn't seem like it will be an issue.
Obligatory comparison to K70.
I got tired of waiting after about two minutes and decided to go ahead and pick up a soldering iron from Home Depot for like $20. Learning to solder was definitely a strange process, the very first one went actually really well, and then got sort of hit and miss from there. All the connections did end up working (took me somewhere between 15-30 minutes having never soldered before) and I got the keyboard put back together. My first impression of typing on the Planck was very strange. I kept missing several different keys, and I'm still working on becoming more accurate at hitting x, c, v, and b, which are all particularly troubling. I know that I will eventually get better at this with time, it's an adjustment like most things.
Coding on this keyboard seems like it will be particularly difficult (at least with the default layout) and I will probably be trying to devise a custom one to work out an easier way. If anything interesting happens with the keyboard I'll update again.