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
That said, I think a lot of my difficulties will disappear once I reprogram the ErgoDox. I decided at the beginning to try out the factory settings just to get an idea of what I would want to change, if anything, and now I think I have some idea.
As an aside: I found it necessary to put drops of nail polish on f and j so that I could locate these keys without looking. Otherwise I kept shifting away from home position.
One of the things that helped me a lot, was putting in upside down Numpad Enter (DCS) keycaps into the thumb cluster instead of the ones the ergodox comes with. I found using the DSA keycaps almost impossible also, since I wasn't able to feel around. Like you said, putting in some kind of texture or bump for the F and J will make a world for difference.
I do a bit of work in Visual Studio, and this layout has been working well for me so far https://keyboard-configurator.massdrop.com/ext/ergodox/?referer=23SKAZ&hash=49f687b0ea4ef64345ed77051da4c1cd however it's evolving weekly haha. But I think it is close to perfect for me. (I can mash Home and End with my palms fairly easily)
Also I've found using upside down Numpad 6 and Numpad 4 keys work really well in the lowest inner most corners of the thumb clusters too, as it allows the one thumb to hit CTRL + Alt at once, making it handy for things like photoshop undo etc.
The key mapping differences are a bit more difficult. At first moving some of the keys to the thumb cluster was a bit confusing, but I got used to that. Now I've become so used to having keys mapped to layers that using a traditional keyboard feels like a handicap.
Buying this keyboard has all the same considerations as switching to a non-qwerty layout. If you use shared computers frequently and it's not practical to use your own keyboard all the time, you'll want to think hard about how you adapt to different layouts.
It takes some dedication to get over the hump; you're re-learning how to type. The long-term benefits outweigh the temporary discomfort of adjusting.
My solution: Build another custom keyboard so I can have one at home and one at the office.
I've said this previously, but I think it's really important to get the most out of any ergodox, and that is to use 4x upside down Numpad Enter keycaps for the thumb cluster, it makes a world of difference for comfort. Your thumbs just sit nicely in them.
What kind of keys do you have on your ergodox?
I don't yet have an ergodox, but I was thinking that maybe DCS keycaps would already have the thumb keys with a good configuration.