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
I was from the first drop and received a defective keyboard where the micro USB on the board is warped and the cable would not fit in. There is no easy fix like what most of you guys experience. So I contacted Massdrop for support (with photos and video) on the 24th Jan and was told to decide if I wanted a replacement or a full refund. So I ask for a replacement and was told that Massdrop only order the exact quantity, so it may take weeks for the vendor (IKBC) to send a replacement unit. ("This process can take a few weeks depending on the vendor's responsiveness and inventory availability." quoted directly from the email)
I contacted Massdrop on 6th Feb(more than a week later) and ask for update and was told to be patient and that the process can take several weeks. Fair enough, Massdrop have to communicate with IKBC (vise versa) so I just gotta wait.
But few days ago I saw this drop back again, and my rationality tells me that this is not right! With this drop shipping on estimated 26 April, which would means that the worst case scenario will be that my replacement board be ship together with this drop. But till today I was not given any information on any estimate. Which would lead me to think that if I had asked for a full refund and join this drop, I would get my keyboard around May. It is long and I am patient but not when the support does not make any sense. At least if I did what I mention above (full refund and rejoin drop), I will have a time frame in mind. Is Massdrop support incapable of providing such information?
I would assume that Massdrop will want to see the keyboard to be in "new" condition before shipping out the replacement, so I asked to return the keyboard to them and was told to hold onto it until a replacement has been sourced. ("In this case, please hang on to the defective keyboard until a replacement has been sourced." quoted directly from email) This again does not make any sense. No matter if I want a replacement or a refund, I will have to return the keyboard back anyway, so why not take it back first?
I do not know what to think of this but I will likely reconsider about getting anything from Massdrop again. And with many people facing issues with this keyboard, it will be a risk to purchase this. By the way, in case there are any misunderstanding, I do love the feel and build of this board, which is why I asked for a replacement and not a refund. The keyboard, if without any defect, is extremely nice. But the support, IKBC or Massdrop is extremely bad.
I am pretty sure that I can get a full refund but that is not the point of the complaint. If I did not want this keyboard I would not have bought it in the first place. And getting refund and buying again is actually not very practical because there is a bank rate for currency conversion when I pay and there is another conversion loss when Massdrop refund me the amount (Bank is always making free money). Not that I cannot afford that amount of loss but more of that if I were to ask for a refund, I may not have anymore faith to join this drop again because I might be experiencing this whole thing again on May.
This drop is directly implementing to me that Massdrop can ship out all of the keyboards to people who join this drop by end of April but cannot tell me anything about when I can get my replacement. Which part of this even make any sense?
And I was being very patient by not immediately bringing this up when I saw this drop a few days ago. I was hoping that Massdrop will notify me soon. I trust that I was not being an unreasonable customer by expecting this level of service.
We are very sorry for the difficulties you currently facing. iKBC USA just started the RMA solution center in the South California. Although we currently do not have MF series here. However, we are happy to help your situation. Please kindly send email to service@ikbckeyboard.com. We will help you out.
Sincerely, iKBC Keyboards.
Good to know that I can look for the original vendor in case things do not go well on Massdrop(third party?) side. But since I had already raised the issue to Massdrop for an exchange, I will not complicate things by sending another request to iKBC.
Anyway, seems like Massdrop saw this message and had just replied me that I would get my replacement in 2 months time. I believed that it will be likely to be shipped with this drop, which is the minimum that I would expect(as stated in my first post). The wait is long, but I will stick to getting a replacement through Massdrop instead of contacting iKBC. Of course, this is provided that things continue to go well in the future.
On another note, great to see all the replies that the shorting problem is fixed. I will send you an email over the weekend to show you the problem with the keyboard that I received(the micro-USB port), which hopefully will improve over the next batch.
Regards, Chia
We are very appreciated your opinion. iKBC have been starting operation in the USA for couple months. We know the shortening issue is our mistake when we designed MF-series. Of course, we need to fully responsible for our customers because without your supports, iKBC would not be lasting longer in the keyboard filed. Therefore, we set up customer service and RMA center as soon we could and we take care each incoming email and comments no matter from Massdrop or other channels
We are very sorry for delay replies sometimes. We will improve our efficiency.
We will look forward to your email anytime from service@ikbckeyboard.com.
Sincerely, iKBC Keyboard