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
My first Varmilo VB87M keyboard was basically DOA with, IIRC, the letter O key flaky. Often, it would not register a click yet at other times, it would send 2, 3, or more letters. This was the Bluetooth model from the ~ Feb 2013 drop with Gateron blues. My first one was returned.
Now, I am on my second VB87M, and a few months later, it was experiencing similar problems (missed or double keys), but the problems showed up not immediately, but over time and now with many keys -- most are common like the spacebar and the letter S while others are not like the letter Z. Now, it is unusable, and I am on my 3rd.
I'm trying to figure out if this is a Varmilo PCB problem, a problem with Gateron switches, or some freak combination with the Bluetooth or maybe just a bad batch since my second one was also from the Feb 2013 drop.
At the time of the first failure, I did a lot of research, and there were a couple other users with a similar problem. One, I believe, in Singapore, her dad disassembled and cleaned the switch which suggests it was a switch problem. But, I have read another user who reported a similar problem with Cherry switches.
I have many of these keyboards but most are infrequently used such as on my Chromebook, a laptop, other development machines, home media center, etc. I have a fortune spent on these keyboards (including non-Bluetooth versions) and aluminum cases and fancy keycaps. It's not acceptable for these keyboards to only last a few months (regular use) when the keys are rated for 50 million cycles. Unfortunately, I have not used my other keyboards as much as the one on my main machine.
Please post your experiences (similar or no problems) and what model/switch/drop yours came from.