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
Many of you have been wondering why we didn’t re-launch the ErgoDox upon fulfillment of the previous order. The reason for that is because we’ve been working tirelessly on redesigning an improved version of ErgoDox from ground up.
And this brings us to the announcement of the Infinity ErgoDox.
The Infinity ErgoDox runs entirely on KLL, the Keyboard Layout Language, which is a highly configurable protocol designed by Jacob Alexander of Input Club to allow complete control over your keyboard. For the programmers out there, this means you will be able to configure your keyboard directly from the command line using text files.
In addition, Jacob and the rest of the Input Club team have also implemented a completely new way to handle the interconnect between the two halves of the Infinity ErgoDox.
~ Keyboard Interconnect ~
- Each half can function independently by itself, or connected via the other half. - Can chain two or more devices to each other. - The same USB 3.0 Micro-B cable from a single half can be connected either to the other half or directly to the computer. ~ Additional Features ~
- RGB backlit LCD Screen to display lock statuses, layers, and other information - Pre-assembled PCB’s (Comes with all the electronic components soldered, except for the switches) - Alps and Cherry Compatibility The work on the redesign has been very thorough and extensive. Our goal was simple: build a split keyboard that is accessible to anyone that’s looking for a highly configurable ergonomic keyboard.
This effort has been led by a coalition between Input Club and Massdrop with blessing from Dominic Beauchamp (Dox).
The drop for the Infinity ErgoDox will begin very shortly and we are planning on an 8 weeks delivery schedule. While this buy is occurring, we are also working on getting a modular Infinity Configurator online that will support this project as well as the Infinity 60% keyboards. This effort is being led by Matteo Spinelli (Matt3o), and a beta will be available shortly.
We know there will be some questions, so we’ve answered some of the easy ones right here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Question 1: Is the PCB compatible with old ErgoDox cases?
Answer: No. Leveraging USB 3.0 as the basis of the interconnect protocol afford us much more functional flexibility than before. As a result, the case design had to be changed dramatically.
Question 2: Will the old ErgoDox Configurator be able to program this keyboard?
Answer: No. An entirely new configurator that is being developed by Matteo Spinelli (matt3o) will be released very shortly. This new configurator will support the Infinity 60% keyboard as well as all future KLL based keyboard
Question 3: How easy is it to build this new ErgoDox?
Answer: Very easy. In fact, it is as easy as the Infinity 60% keyboard. A person who has never soldered before in their life would be able to construct this board in under one hour.
Question 4: Is this Open Source like the previous ErgoDox?
Answer: Yes. As soon as we ship the first round, all of the design files will be open sourced on Github.
I’m sure there will be more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments!
Question 0: will the price change? :)