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
This is a community orientated website/store, still young, but people, who have the feeling to belong to a community, tend to buy within their community. We're willing to buy "average" stuff here to make other amazing stuff happen, that can't be found at other locations many times.
Give and get :)
Some of is are also more than comfortable waiting to save money. The instant gratification bunch wastes a lot of money when they feel they need something "now". If you save 20 bucks here and there it adds up quick. Criticising people for saving money is a really stupid thing to do.
It's all about the point of view. :) For myself.... I can't consider someone DONATING 100 US DOLLAR$... And even more to some (not so) entertaining guy on Twitch. But hey, it's their money, not mine.
My point is: Yes... Feel free to judge. But you accomplish nothing by telling publicly people what they must do with the money they own. It's frustrating I know.
And sorry for my english twisted sentences. English is my second language. ;)
And I wasn't late for the 55g. There were still some available. I wouldn't ever spend this much on a keyboard.
I also have a rubber dome that feels almost exactly like my friends Topre keyboard. My keyboard cost $20 delivered. His cost over $200. I am willing to pocket the $180 and then live with the keyboard that is almost as good.
You were saying?
Will most people be happy with the taobao spacebars? sure. but there are people who are willing to pay a premium for a better quality product. And yes, the MD spacebars are in fact, better quality. Whether you believe that or not is up to you.
As someone that writes all day every day for a living, I can definitely tell a difference. A huge difference with Topre over any rubber domes is that you don't have to bottom out to actually actuate the switch. The ability to type lightly and have very consistent feeling switches definitely puts less strain on my hands after hours of typing.
Is it with $200? You must decide that on your own. But I can say ive gotten more hours of use out of my 87u than just about any object I own, for me it is absolutely with it.
No it isn't. There was a drop for Topre PBT spacebars by themselves on this site, they were $15 and I'm in it. There is next to no risk buying from Aliexpress and this keyboard is even cheaper on Amazon Japan, the only reason why this keyboard is bundled with these spacebars is that MD can't sell Topre keyboards by themselves thanks to an exclusivity deal Topre has with Elitekeyboards in the west. There is also no evidence to suggest that the spacebars included in this drop aren't any different from those sold elsewhere.
Also I think you're misunderstanding how the free market works. Yes, MD sets the price at $15, Aliexpress/taobao sells them at $5ish, however, there is a limited supply of PBT topre spacebars out there, and everyone with a Topre keyboard wants one for themselves. So in the aftermarket, when an item with significant scarcity goes up for sale, demand far outstrips supply, and the price goes up. I've personally not seen a Topre PBT spacebar go for $100 like livingspeedbump is saying, but I've seen it sold for as much as $50 per spacebar. I do think its rather silly, but thats capitalism for you. Everyone has a price.
And as for being able to buy this cheaper on Amazon JP, by all means go ahead and get it from them. No need to shit on the people getting it from MD. For some of us, this is the best deal we can get.
Japan to US shipping is very expensive. I've gotten many keyboards from a proxy in JP. It's only worth it when buying in bulk really.
And Brian is a great guy to get these from. Ive gotten heaps of Topre boards from him. Generally pricing is very comparable to MDs, you just get something extra with a MD purchase. Obviously some people really want the extras, others want it delivered quickly. Neither option is wrong by any means.
We're all free to spend our money at the places we like, i don't understand this kind of discussion and let me rephrase myself.
"This is a community orientated website/store, still young, but people, who have the feeling to belong to a community, tend to buy within their community. We're willing to buy "average" stuff here to make other amazing stuff happen, that can't be found at other locations many times.
Give and get :)"