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
However I think there are a few things that could have been done better. 1) Consistent communication with maybe updates once a week or something, even if it was just to say, nothing has gotten any further than last week. 2) Not promising specific dates when there are so many factors. The AKG 7XX drop is a good example of this, after the first one was hit by a strike/protest at a shipping yard the last one had estimates like "Mid-February". That way you don't lock yourself up in as tight of a timeline. 3) Missing stated communication times. This goes with the other two and I think just served to make certain people more upset.
In all personally, I'm not ecstatic that the drop has slipped so much but I understand that these things happen. Something to keep in mind is that the number of possible variations for this drop is extremely high. Especially when compared to drops in other categories that don't have any options at all! Also most other drops have Massdrop dealing with one manufacturer and shipping as opposed to all of the things involved here. So this drop especially isn't the same as buying a keyboard from Amazon, MechanicalKeyboards.com or whatever in that it is *entirely* custom. It isn't even like buying computer parts from somewhere like Newegg because it isn't like Massdrop is able to keep a supply of these things laying around, maybe the cases and switches, but certainly not the bent frame, and keycaps (since there is the odd right shift), not to mention the PCB! The closest thing I can think of is ordering direct from a company like Cooler Master, or whoever, that has to deal with all the backend suppliers, but again it isn't like Massdrop has that kind of scale..
So Massdrop team, Andrew, HaTaa, and everyone else involved, please just view the above as constructive criticism. As someone else excited to get their hands on this thank you for the hard work!
Everyone else, I agree with some frustrations, but also with giving a little grace.
EDIT: I also agree with those that feel like they've been patient and burned by absolute wording (hence my point #2 above). Something else that came to mind as a positive that seemed like it has fell by the wayside is the openness of the original updates giving details about the stage of various components. Personally I think it was the right thing to wait until after the laser cutting issue was resolved to tell us, but in general I think that having more information on the process as a whole, along with the things I said before, would have given ease to the participants and watchers (Almost 1700 requests for a relaunch! Incredible for a custom product..).
Granite Keycap Set: (over a month late) Estimated shipping date: October 17th, 2014. Actual Shipipng Date: November 25th, 2014
ErgoDox: (1 week late - understandable, but still late) Estimated Shipping Date: January 29th, 2015. Actual Shipping Date: February 6th, 2015
Infinity keyboard: (over a month late) Estimated Shipping Date: December 26, 2014 Actual Shipping Date: ???
So your experience with massdrop always shipping on time, is not my experience with massdrop. And yes, It isnt the same as buying something from amazon, But they should factor that in to their estimated shipping times. i'm not fussed at how long it takes, I just hate expecting something around a certain time, and not getting it until a month or more later, I just wish their estimates were more accurate.