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
Edit: I found it but be careful using the 3rd off line section. I thought I nearly bricked my keyboard or something because it kept disconnecting and reconnecting when I went to that section but it works. The program itself feels janky and I just set the colors to white because I really don't want to mess with it after the initial scare.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9XoYZuzpjWncUpmelctM3VqMUk/view
Where I got it from: https://kbdfans.myshopify.com/collections/keyboard/products/gk64-mechanical-keyboard-64key?variant=41021830669
I would encourage anyone who's considering this keyboard to look for reviews on Reddit or Geekhack. The keyboard itself is excellent, but the software is so bad. There's an "improved" version of the software available (newer than the one you linked) that removes the ability to program the base layer.
Just to give an example of how the software "works," if you want to program a key that isn't on the GK64, you have to plug in a second keyboard to enter the keystroke.
I'm normally a big believer in not saying anything if I don't have anything nice to say, but I think it's important that anyone who's considering this keyboard knows what they're getting into.
I'm using hasu's USB-USB converter with mine, and it works great that way. The only programming I've done via the GK64 software was changing a couple keys in the base layer. I haven't played around with the lighting at all except to figure out how to turn it off.
If you could put QMK on this keyboard I think it would be unbeatable. The hardware is so nice, and there just aren't many 60% hotswap options right now.
Hello fellow comrade, "best" mk gadget ever made so far :)
This is so true - I've been trying to locate a 60% hotswap PCB for so long now. I did not know that the software was so bad on this or it would require "online" background drivers. Thats a deal breaker for mac&linux users like me.
The best hotswap PCB I've seen so far is the HS60 on a UK site, and I dont even know if any sellers in the US stock it.
As far as using the software, I haven't played around with the LED stuff. Other people have said it's difficult to use, but it should be possible to figure it out.
If you aren't planning to program the keyboard (switch keys around or program your own function layer), you don't need to worry about that. Since it's your first keyboard, you may not have expectations about what you should or shouldn't be able to do. For me, not being able to map Function to Caps Lock with the first version of the software was frustrating. That was eventually implemented, but the newest version of the software wants you to switch layers, rather than using a momentary modifier. If none of this means anything to you, then you don't need to worry.
What was frustrating about the GK64 for me (and for other people whose comments I read) was that I wanted to set it up the same way I had set up my other keyboards. The software made that impossible in some cases and unreasonably difficult in others. The frustration really came from expectations I had from using other keyboards though. I guess this was a really long-winded way of saying that because it's your first mechanical keyboard, you'll probably be happy with it. You'll just be happier with whatever you get next :)