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 pleasantly surprised it only got up to $1273. Converting this back to my own currency makes this look a bit better (Converted with current exchange rates). €1138,-. Still a lot of money. Still worth it. Since I'm not based in the US, a portion of that money is in shipping costs. All shipping for everything together amounts up to $195, or €174. Over 30% of that is just Signature Plastics (please fix that).
Some background info on me: I'm 18 years old, took a break from school, and have worked full-time for just over a year now. I live with my parents at no costs, am a major gearhead and like working on my own stuff.
I started this hobby when I built my first PC. First the Ducky, then about 11 months later came the blank keycap set. That kicked off the custom part of this. At the end of the year I took the next step, a second keyboard. Then I convinced myself that needed a custom set, and Canvas just happened to pop up a few months later (Jan 2017). Since then the Planck dropped, just as I was piecing it together from various sources, that needed keycaps, so I went with SA, as I wanted to try it. Since the shipping would amount to $43 I figured I'd throw in as much as I wanted. Then DSA Granite redropped and I figured I'd give my TKL an upgrade (March 2017). When may rolled around I fell madly in love with Miami Dolch DSA, so much so that I bought the simultaneously dropping XD60 kit for it. It needed a different colour plate though. Finally I thought It'd be nice to show the world my love for the Mechanical Keyboard, so I bought the keychain. There you go, my entire MK life. Some regrets: Not buying SA Dasher/Dancer, not being there for SA Nuclear Data.
I'll leave the future out of this, because I'd easily be able to double the numbers, and I'm not ready to accept that yet ;).
P.S. The Vortex Core and DSA HC Granite are looking pretty good, though...
P.S.S. Just kidding, I've got two cars that need repairs. Spending a lot of money on hobbies is fun, but make sure you keep your priorities straight.
Up for next month: MiTo's GMK Laser.
Month after that: GMK Red Samurai, 24K gold stabilizers, 60 MOD-H switches.
After that: A custom 60% plate for the Matias switches, a plate for my Miami Dolch build, an AMJ40 carbon fibre kit and a few sets of transparant stabilizers.
Then finally I have to get a hold of Halo True switches and a high profile 60% case.
Budgeted about $719 in keyboard stuff for the next few months. I budget everything in USD, and then pretend what I wrote down is in Euros. That way I can trick my mind that I'm not spending as much when the receipts come in.
That being said, what parts are you going for on your new Planck? (I'm tempted to buy a Easy On The Wallet Planck kit at some point.)
EDIT: Those in the picture are the EOTW version, I really like the gold stuff, it's just tacky enough to be tasteful-ish. Now should it have Blacks or Speed Golds?