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
Agree on the countdown thing. It's...a feature, I guess? I mean, it's not horrible, it does work well, but I agree it just does not seem terribly necessary
- Set a timer for something (say you have a roast in the oven and want to know when an hour has gone by) - Your keyboard is normal for the first 59 minutes - In the last minute, your keyboard RGBs turn red, and begin 'reverse-snaking', turning off one-by-one, during the last minute. - The 'alarm' is your keyboard flashing red to let you know your timer has expired
It's super quick and easy to set (hit the timer button, hit F6 for 60 minutes, hit timer button again and it's set)
It's not a distracting thing; that is, if you don't want to use it, you can just ignore that function.
...except for the first few days when I was experimenting with it, I've not used the timer though.
Same for the keys with the Rockets on them: how many people actually set the n-key rollover or polling rate? it's nice that they did it, but it feels unnecessary for them to be there
BUT there are many things I like about the keyboard.
FN + F6 and your win key is locked
FN + F8 and you switch your left win and alt keys, FN + F7 and you switch your left shift and caps keys
I like that, if you want ALL lights off, even the capslock indicator, you can hit FN + 0 and all lights go off.
All in all love this keyboard, easy to recommend it to others. That you can buy them on Amazon w/prime shipping direct from IKBC is just icing on the cake. If no one has seen it, IKBC seems to be offering an updated Poker II on their Amazon page? It takes a type-C connection, looks like the case is a little different then the Poker II I used to have.