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
No one is going to buy the $99 option (with no keycaps), so this really misrepresents the "deal" you are supposedly getting.
For what the price ultimately works out to, you could pretty much buy any other keyboard on the planet at any random place and it would be competitive to this.
I signed up for mass drop with the impression it was a place to get a good deal with group buying power. But really its about buying one of a kind items at a ridiculous price and spending more money than you would shopping elsewhere.
What about the drops for only caps? Those are generally much more expensive than this, but no one says "Who would buy keycaps with no keyboard?" The fun of building and collecting is to ultimately have something that is completely unique to you. It's fun, and I love it.
A set of DSA blanks only adds $30 to the price if you need caps. $130 + shipping gives you all the components needed to build a fully functional board.
We don't sell this keyboard anywhere but Massdrop, and it is easily the most customizable 60% available on the market, as it is fully programmable out of the box (an improvement on the Poker, KC60, etc.), supports TMK for all the other programming needs because we are in close communication with hasu, and is available with more switch variants than any other 60% keyboard.
Its just a shame that Massdrop pretends to have the aim of saving you money, when the real goal is to instigate a mass spending spree on items that are no better deal than anywhere else.
If you are going to list it at $99, list it at that price with the basic keycap set... for those who want to put ones they have laying around on it, they can throw the provided ones in a ziplock bag and let them lay around doing nothing if that's what floats their boat.
Massdrop certainly could have set the base price at $140 including the DSA blanks, and offered to subtract it as a no-caps option. Since I've seen that happen on other drops, I have to assume that based on purchase history, the no-caps kit was a big seller, so they chose to advertise to their market.
You do realize this is a kit, right? Not a manufactured, mass-market keyboard.
You're saying that a 60 % PCB (won't even mention that it's programmable) + plate+ plastic/metal case + 61 Gateron switches + set of stabilizers for $99 isn't competitive.
Could you please refer to me a link where I can get these parts I mentioned above for $99 or lower?
I'll go beyond and add the 3run Alphabet kit.
Can you please link to me a place where I can find a full working 60% keyboard (again, it doesn't need to be programmable) with GMK keycaps for $168.98 or lower?
If you were even remotely aware of the prices boards like this go for when you're component hunting on Geekhack you'd understand this is very cheap in comparison. Does that mean it's cheap in general or compared to random $30 keyboard you get off of bestbuy? No. That's the reality of things, it's an expensive hobby and you have the right to be upset at me and others that have thousands in disposable income to spend on caps that are bound to not be used all at once or on whatever else may be their preference. That's how it works.
MDcan't save you more than they do on these custom board/cap drops - they're exclusives, how do you want this to be cheaper than elsewhere when it's literally not available anywhere else? You can go get a MagicForce on Amazon for $50 instead, no one's stopping you but by all means leave the rest of us to enjoy the things we enjoy and allow Massdrop to offer exclusives like this that many of us want to purchase. If they're not run here they will be run elsewhere, you can't stop people from liking things, your entire logic is skewed and none of the points you've been trying to argue even begin to make the slightest bit of sense.
Some needed relief from hesitating and missing out on the Zeal60 PCB. Great deal. :>
Anyways yup, already in for R4 Feelios GB! Only needed a PCB so this is great timing. Don't mind the wait since I'll be messing around with the MiniVan and Roadkit in the meantime.
Come to think of it, the attitude reminds me a bit of this election. It isn't possible to have reasonable disagreements, anyone who disagrees with you is stupid and evil. Did anyone note the date when did it become impossible to be friendly with people who aren't clones of you?
By your logic I assume you must live on Dollar Menu meals because even though Whole Foods sells food, cheaper food is available elsewhere (in this example, McDonald's). Whole Foods is a evil ripoff and anyone who buy food there is stupid. It doesn't matter that Whole Foods food is healthier, McDonald's has cheaper meals so anyone who buys food on Whole Foods is an idiot, right?
This is a group buy to request custom manufacturing for a unique keyboard and components within a manufacturer, if this is not what you're looking for then simply move on. No need to argue or try to prove your non-sense, just move on if this is not what you're looking for.
Call off the hordes!