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
Gamebreaking problem that I have yet to solve: This keyboard does not maintain connectivity when my PC is put to sleep or rebooted. This is an obnoxious thing to deal with forcing me to unpair and repair the keyboard before being able to use it at all. Thank god I don't have a password required to log into the computer or that would lengthen the process by a few minutes.
The "pairing" seems fickle at best. I can't tell if I'm pairing over an existing connection or using the "secondary" pair. And the only way I can seem to turn the thing off is by getting into the pairing mode (blinking insert key) and then holding insert. If it's a solid Insert, 9 times out of 10 I can't turn it off.
I would've much preferred a designated power (and pairing) button as opposed to a silly combination of keys that you have to remember or decipher to do simple operations. This is especially silly when the keyboard isn't trying to be compact! It's not a 60%, it's a ten-keyless. There is no space saving they're trying to achieve. Just a silly design choice that proves to be more problematic than anything.