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
If you're getting the blank alphas for a standard layout, you need three (3) kits, not two (2). I didn't notice that for a long time.
I can't believe the ErgoDox professional kit is more popular than the ErgoDox blank. I would think that the customization going on with that layout would make the pro kit almost useless. Step up your game, Internet. Also I would like to hit that last drop point for purely selfish reasons.
I wish the arrow kit had a homing right arrow R3 key. Would be useful on the ErgoDox in a gamepad situation. I don't think it makes sense to use WASD over ESDF on the ErgoDox.
Can someone explain the problem people have with getting in the drop right away when using PayPal? I use PayPal, and it makes an authorization charge but no money is moved from my bank account until the drop ends. I don't keep a PayPal balance either. I noticed complaints around this in regard to the warning kit price change and in some other cases (waiting on paycheck, etc.) as well.
I should have said you need three blank alpha kits to be more precise. I was excluding the modifier and numpad kits in my counts.
I believe the initial authorization is to verify that your stored bank account / debit card is still valid. If you don't have a registered debit card, we all know you would need to manually transfer funds into your PP wallet and have them available. The Debit* network transaction is a lot more convenient... the transaction is a more "real-time" transaction as opposed to the ACH** transaction that would occur through your bank / bank account... (This is more of a general statement regarding - a ton of Debit Networks exist and I'm not sure which one that PP leverages or they may even have their own proprietary Debit network)
When you join a "Drop" it will display a message letting you know when to expect the charge / transaction to occur. From personal experience my account is charged soon after the drop ends or the following day (I am using the PP debit card payment method). The prices do fluctuate based on the number of "joins"...
e.g. The drop is about to end and everyone included will receive the lowest price but 50 users back out at the last minute causing the number of "joins" to fall into the previous price zone. (Boooo those users!)
So it makes sense for MD to hold off until the drop has expired until they charge anyone or they would potentially have a shitload of charge backs to deal with.
I hope this helps! "Whatsa matta Dylan... Da CIA gotcha pushing too many pencils?" - Sorry... couldn't help myself. ;)
References: * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debit_card#Online_debit_system ** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automated_Clearing_House
My question was more about people who complained about not joining a drop until they transfer money to their PP balance so they miss the drop (ex. Infinity ErgoDox), or a drop option sells out (ex. Carbon Warning Keys), etc. I don't understand why people using PP can't just join the drop when they decide they want to? Does PP work differently for some people? Is it because they haven't linked a bank account or don't have a backup CC or some third reason I can't think of right now?
Like I said, when I join a drop I get an "authorization" charge in PP (exactly like a CC authorizations works), but no real money goes anywhere until the drop ends. Anyway, I'm not having MD or PP troubles, I just wanted to know what others were talking about.