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
1. You couldn't have got this keyboard - this exact keyboard - anywhere else. No way. I gotta call bullshit on that one. This run incorporates numerous changes and updates to the original Chinese design as a result of extensive testing and prototyping done by XMIT. You knew that when you joined the drop, right? You might find this version of the board on Taobao months from now. The Chinese manufacturer will likely continue producing the board with XMIT's tweaks from this point on. But that avenue won't be open for a while yet - long after you will have received your Massdrop order. And if you'd bought from one of those other sources 3 months ago you would have received a VASTLY inferior product.
2. The ESTIMATED delivery was always going to be in February. That was public knowledge plastered all over the drop description from Day One. It'll probably still be in February, or very close. Is this your first keyboard group buy? Because these sorts of delays are very common, and this one isn't even particularly bad. So simmer down. There's nothing to get upset about... yet.
Estimated delivery plastered all over the drop description? Where's that exactly? I see an estimated ship date that they won't hit. Supposedly we now have a vague delay of 2 weeks. Massdrop won't give us any estimate on ship dates from the manufacturer to them let alone a delivery estimate to us. Realize its going to be one to two weeks before Massdrop hears back from Ace Pads (they're on vacation), then they have to "fix" this manufacturing issue (good news, they've known about it for months), then they have to fix our boards, then they have to ship our boards to Massdrop in NJ. Then presumably, Massdrop will do some of their own quality assurance. Then Massdrop will ship via UPS ground or something. We're looking at late March, early April delivery on the west coast (assuming they actually fix the keyboards "quickly").
I fully accept that I'm being cynical about this. It doesn't mean I'm wrong.
BTW, I just got a response from XMIT in regards to what is different between the boards in this drop vs. those in my link above if anyone is wondering like I was. " 1. Boards ordered through me, with XMIT Keyboards branding, go through an additional QA process and are supported and warranted by me and Massdrop. I can't promise anything about boards not ordered through me with regard to configuration, programmability, choice of stabilizers, etc. 2. By ordering through me you're supporting future development for things like clicky and tactile switches, programmable firmware, and new layouts. 3. That price doesn't include shipping." I'll just leave it there I guess. We'll see how this all pans out in a month or two.
The keyboards are mostly done and were scheduled to get on a flight on the 28th, just before the Chinese New Year holiday. The manufacturer caught a quality control issue with key fitment with not enough time before the holiday to fix it, so, they missed the flight.
The holiday is no joke: if you’re not aware, it is the largest human migration on the planet, with nearly a billion people going home for the holidays. The country shuts down! It’s not like this snuck up on us, either. The original estimates were very conservative figuring delays including this holiday and sure enough we’re delayed by it.
I’ll hear back on Monday or Tuesday from the factory once they all return and start things going again.
If I understand the issue correctly, the problem is that one mold for the key switch sliders is slightly undersized and produces inconsistent parts. They thought they had fixed this. They will work to identify and retire the mold, shoot new parts and repair everyone’s keyboards before shipment.
(Personally, I use a little piece of plastic bag material as a shim for any keyboard - these or others - when the sliders are undersized, but, better to have it right from the factory.)
After this, here is what you can expect:
- keyboards get on a plane from China to New Jersey; - Massdrop’s warehouse in New Jersey breaks down the order and sends packages and tracking numbers; - you get a package with a keyboard.
Each of these steps take about a week, and, are about the same for any Massdrop order!
hodgeac, I think that some of your expectations are based on the fact that this is a large, well established operation. It’s not. The manufacturer is a small company working hard to ship 1000+ keyboards to my exacting quality control requirements. I’ve been working with them since June of 2016 to work out lots of kinks that are documented in various forum posts.
It is true that the manufacturer will try to sell versions of the board with my proposed improvements on the open market. This is something I cannot really control and is what happens when doing business with China. But please do realize that we’re also actively working on new product.
Please let me reiterate: by buying here - and being part of the group buy - you’re not just buying a keyboard, you’re actively supporting the development of future revisions to the board.
I can appreciate that delays don’t make anyone happy. I’m waiting on various parts and pieces from this order that are delayed just like yours, and, these delays get in the way of new product development. But if I haven’t convinced you by now that we’re doing everything we can, then, I’m not sure I’ll be able to convince you at all.
Regardless, I hope your keyboard arrives in February and that you love it!
XMIT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zcVnNwAHys
Here you go!
https://helpdesk.massdrop.com/hc/en-us/articles/216080487-How-do-I-delete-my-account-
Take your time with it man, no worries on this end. I'd much rather receive it months from now than to get an inferior product.
Because other people, trusted members of the community, also paid for and received prototype boards from the initial (private) run in order to be a part of this process. Matt3o and Engicoder are two such members who have run successful group buys in the past and with whom I've collaborated on other projects. There are a couple others whose names I don't recognize, but their input was just as important to the entire project. So I guess all those people are equally complicit in the plan to fleece the Massdrop community with rebranded Chinese junk keyboards, right?
Sheep should be more cautious when wolves are about.
Enjoy your keyboard. ;)
This thread is somewhat self selecting: there are plenty of satisfied folks who are not chiming in. Ah well.
I'll be a guest on Top Clack in a week's time. Would it be helpful for you to send your questions, comments, and concerns to the Top Clack folks, to ask me in real time when we chat?
So I guess that didn't work out. This sucks for all of us. Sucks for you too, since your name is burned into these boards. And I'm sure you feel bad about it. But listen man, every time an issue comes up or problems happen in this process and you say "it'll be better next time", you gotta know that means literally nothing to us. This isn't kickstarter. I didn't "Back" you. I bought a keyboard. I don't think you deserve a pass man. You signed up for this shit. We each paid $100+ for what we were sold as some kind of custom "Designed by XMIT" experience. Talk about disappointing.
You seem like a genuine nice guy who is trying hard and hitting lots of bumps so I feel BAD writing this honest crap here. So, I'm sorry if I come across as a jerk. I'm just being honest. I still hope that my keyboard shows up sometime next week and that it's miraculously problem free. You know, besides nkey rollover.
I'm still gathering feedback and thinking of the best ways to loop back with the factory. My take is that, on the whole, quality is pretty good but either one production line or one manager at the factory is really letting things slide. They really disappointed me, and as a result, I've disappointed some of you.
The screws issue is something that I raised early on. I said, "hey, these screws are garbage, they strip really easily, put in brass inserts". They said, "we've reproduced the issue, larger screws help". They sent me prototype boards with the larger screws that passed my validation and I OK'd it after some tests. Then, as it turns out, they shipped boards with the larger screws that *still* had stripping issues. So, one way or the other, the screws will thread into metal, and not plastic or wood, next time.
There are more issues like that. I'm not trying to pass the buck, but, it is a challenge to enforce quality control standards over a time, distance, language, and cultural barrier. Not impossible, but a challenge. We hit lots of issues from about June through December of last year and I thought we had worked through all of them. Turns out some of those issues re-surfaced, and, there were some new issues.
I disagree that "better next time" is meaningless. Of course I would, this should be no surprise. I disagree because there will be retrofits available. I'm being a little vague on purpose - there are many factors here and I'm exploring multiple avenues for how to best address all the quality issues raised by you and other Round 1 supporters.
Folks like you have high expectations and ultimately push for a better product so I appreciate hearing from you.
I'm going to consider every component of the board, the fabrication process, the assembly process and the shipping and fulfillment process, and look for improvements in all areas. All I can ask is that you bear with me while I do. There are a very limited number of things that I can't talk about publicly but nearly everything else is out in the open here or in some forum post, and eventually, on xmitkeyboards.com.