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
The main issue is the space bar. Rather than three keyswitches (one real, two stabilising) like in my other (say, WASD) keyboards, this one has...something else, and it isn't great.
If you press the left and right hand side of the space bar, it lifts up like a see-saw. This happens quite a bit if you do multi-key shortcuts (like Cmd-opt-space to Quick Entry on Things on Mac OS), and reasonably often the key 'sticks' and fires continuously.
Really not happy with this, it appears to be a design flaw, not a build issue with mine. On lifting the space bar, I can see that the 'stabilising' switches are two weird little floating pieces attached via a hook to the cross-spring, rather than being mounted into the board like you'd expect.
I don't know if you can even get refunds with MassDrop, but if we can I'd encourage us all to seek one. This is an unacceptable build quality for a $120 keyboard.