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 am thankful for the updates we are receiving, that MD has found these mistakes and not just shipping us a crap product, and i am still looking forward to receiving my dox. but this is too many mistakes and i still say WTF???
One who makes no mistakes makes nothing. Mistakes are usual things which happens on the road. Expecially if this is a new, not discovered road!
I think also that the sheer number of participants in the drop was about a magnitude more than expected which probably caused a bit of (pleasant) headaches in getting enough of all the components.
If nothing else the "Shipping time is an estimate, and we may have to adjust the actual ship date for this product." should have been a hint that this is not an off the shelf product.
Sure, there was probably a bit more development left to do on this product than the description admitted but you sound that the delays were completely out of the blue which they were clearly not.
>…with lots of potential for things to go wrong. >> I disagree. ‘IF’ all blue prints have been made and prototype phase is done (which is how it appears they are from the description page), then there is no way for mistakes…
CompanyA (PBC company) please make me 2000 PBC’s with these exact specs, here is the cash. CompanyB (LCD company) I would like to buy 2000 of these exact LCD’s, here is the cash. CompanyC (Case manufacturing company) please make me 2000 acrylic cases with these exact specs, here is the cash. CompanyD (Switch Company) I would like to buy X amount of these exact switches and X amount of these exact switches and X amount of these exact switches, here is the cash. CompanyE (Keycap Company) I would like to buy X amount of these exact keycaps and X amount of these exact keycaps, here is the cash. Wait up to two months to receive all the pieces, separate them into individual orders, and send them out.
>I think also that the sheer number of participants in the drop was about a magnitude more than expected which probably caused a bit of (pleasant) headaches in getting enough of all the components. >> Buying one item from a manufacture is no difrent then ording a million items other than the time and process of putting together and shipping the mass quantity.
>If nothing else the "Shipping time is an estimate, and we may have to adjust the actual ship date for this product." should have been a hint that this is not an off the shelf product. >> Every MassDrop group buy has the “estimated shipping date”. And yes it is an expected date because MD does not know how long it will take exactly to receive all the pieces from all the different manufactures from china and twain and wherever else they are coming from.
So no it is not a “hint” in any way shape or form that this dox is/was in a prototype form.
>Sure, there was probably a bit more development left to do on this product than the description admitted but you sound that the delays were completely out of the blue which they were clearly not. >>ABSOLUTELY these delays are out of the blue! Origanly this was supposed to be about two months to organize and collect all the pieces and ship the item out to us. October make this more than a three month delay on top of the original two month wait. When I read an estimated delivery date, I’m thinking at worst two weeks off schedule.
PS. The debate is fun, not trying to piss no one off, just wasting time while my time is being wasted. I could be on my dox, but instead I’m still hawking of these comments waiting/hoping.
In theory ordering 1 is the same as ordering 2000 of something but at some number your regular trusty supplier may not have the capacity to accommodate your needs and you may find yourself in a situation where you will have to take your chances with a new untried one.
You may even need a different production technique since what works well for 1 unit may not be ideal for 2000. And you may need to send your "exact specification" in a different format than your previous supplier accepted.
The components you want to use may not be available in the quantities you want from a supplier and they may have to; in turn order or make them. Or you may have to choose a different component than you had planned to and adjust your design for the new circumstances.
I'm just speculating here of course. MD may be total goofballs that can't do anything right. I'm just giving them the benefit of the doubt here and as a result I'm a bit happier about the circumstances.
I hope you get your keyboard in the first batch and that it is everything you hoped for and more.
Cheers!
As stated before the main issue of this drop is it's not a mass drop order, but a kickstarter project. In the description page, it was never written than this product wasn't ready for mass product. As the contrary, with the pictures I expected there was already a fully working prototype and this product was fully working. But this was a lie, and I had to read a thousand of comment to know everything. Is it normal ?
And the second biggest issu of this drop, which is actually a consequence of the main one, is the delay. Do you realize what means 3 monthes of delay ? We have to wait more than twice of the estimated delay. Of course you can find million of reasons about it. But we are still waiting despite the given reasons, and we should not have to read 1607 comment for knowing what happens with this order.