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
Check their FAQ:
19. Why are Signature Plastics’ DCS and DSA style keycaps so thin? As offshore competition for keycaps began to grow in the 1980’s, it became necessary to reduce costs as much as possible to remain competitive. As a result, subsequent families of keycaps, like the DCS and DSA families, were designed to use less material.
Is it still nessesary to reduce cost of raw materials, if we pay premium prices like those of this drop?
I do not think so.
Me neither.
The thing is that their business is meant to attend large companies. Companies that use terminals and machines of this kind. Let's say that you are the executive manager of Wal-Mart, your job is to open new stores on every city. Would you care about the thickness of the keycaps to be used on checkout terminals? Of course not, you just want them as cheap as possible. You will want them even cheaper since you're buying literally hundreds of thousands of keycaps. That's just a crappy example for you to understand that their business depends on volume to exist.
However, Signature Plastics happen to have machines to make custom keycaps and that's why they accept our orders. Group buys for colorfull and cute keys weren't a thing for them until recently. And because these group buys are getting larger and larger, they are trying to improve! An example of that is their website reboot.
They are trying to get better but they are clearly not ready for such a high demand. The latest SA keysets made are scheduled to be delivered on February, that's a really long wait. Will they hire more people to work and improve their facilities? I don't know.
Melissa basically works alone taking huge orders and giving quotes to every single e-mail she receives. She tries her best and it's a wonderful person to work with. Bob, the owner, takes her job when she's away. Also an incredible guy.
Will we have better prices, conditions and options in the future?
Well I hope so.