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
But there's more. I don't know how many of you have gotten Gateron switches with their KC60. Well I did. And together with the Costar stabilizers used by the manufacturer collide with the CRAPPY Gateron switches. Once again Gateron is dropping the ball. The lower switch shell is a tiny bit larger than original Cherry MX switches (did a comparison) and the stabilizer wire rests on that tiny bit of overhand the lower shell has:
Still like the keyboard ... wouldn't ever even consider getting these poor excuses for dyesub PBT caps. Last picture also nicely shows the wrong profile "S" keycap. Had to do this with all stabilized keys except for the space bar.
My board arrived this morning and I gave it a pre-installation inspection before connecting it to my computer. Noticed the same stabilizer issue as has been well-documented at this point, so I pulled the keycaps and trimmed the switch housings with an X-Acto knife. Also opened the case and inspected the PCB to make sure I didn't have any missing diodes/resistors or things like that. All was in order.
Gateron Brown switches White case White LEDs White PBT Laser Engraved keycaps
I was getting fairly envious of everybody who went for the dye-sublimated keycaps (they look gorgeous, and I find the "Backspase" rather endearing), but having these I'm actually quite enjoying how they look. I'm kind of a sucker for monochromatic themes and I'm totally pleased with these keycaps. I realize they won't last like dyesubs but I'm okay with that, and the dyesub set is available on both eBay and AliExpress so I can always order them later.
This is my first mechanical keyboard, so I might not be the best person to ask. But I can already tell I'm going to want more boards.
I'm loving all the desk space I have now. I've only ever had fullsize boards (three or four of them), and now I have an extra 8 inches of desk space that I didn't know I was missing. I'm already getting a bit used to the function layer, but I will need some more time with it because I did use all the keys on my fullsize (including the numpad). I'm a frequent user of keyboard shortcuts and I have a history of using things like Ctrl-(Shift-)Left Arrow which are totally muscle memory on a fullsize, but take a bit more mental energy on a 60%.
I've been using just the 60% portion of my TKL as a test before jumping on this drop (a CM QFR/greens with a Frosty Flake programmable replacement controller, good stuff). In my experiment I've set up a mostly complete function layer on my keyboard, based on some of the ideas in Hasu's QMK layouts [https://github.com/jackhumbert/qmk_firmware/blob/master/keyboards/infinity_chibios/keymaps/hasu/keymap.c] and tweaked for my own use.
I know that my own control and shift presses for such "select and navigate" operations always ALWAYS come from holding (and dancing on) the left side keys while navigating with my right, so keeping the cursor control accessible cleanly with ONLY the right hand was a big factor for my own muscle memory. Depending on your own hand posture and easy reach range, it may be more convenient to have something closer to the new arrow cluster assigned as a tap key where held acts as Fn and tapping acts as the natural key--say semicolon. I currently use the .> key but the amount of times I accidentally fire off a Fn combination at the end of a sentence or the middle of a decimal number may convince me to adjust ;) All that remains is to add the few remaining keys like PrSc/ScrLock/Pause, Media controls, etc. and I think I'll be good to go when the KC60 arrives.
A while back I made a layout for the KC60 with the navigation keys on I, O, P, K, L, and Semicolon, then Print Screen, Scroll Lock and Pause were [, ], and \. With vim-style arrows, you could replicate this by moving the nav keys to the left (something like Q W E A S D).
The tap key idea actually seems nicely suited for staying on Caps Lock (if you like having a Caps Lock key). I'd dislike having a dual-mode key on a key that actually inputs text or modifies text when held. As Caps Lock doesn't do either, it seems a good location for that.
Something I love about this keyboard (and the reason I chose it over a Pok3r) is the full programmability. If I don't like something, I can change it. I can customize it to how I use the board.
Especially with a history of gaming and vi-keys etc., I think my brain adapted much smoother to the "oh no, the nav cluster isn't a 2x3 grid plus an inverted T" than I believe it would have to re-learning what fingers to use for shift and control in *specifically* the navigation case vs. the general case. Unlike some forms of typing, I think for me the task-based nature of "jump backward word by word, now switch to fine-location by character" or "go to the end of the line then highlight to the start of the line" gets abstracted away in much the same way that using a keyboard or controller to play a game soon becomes less "PRESS X NOW!" and more just "jump."
Of course if your own typing muscles tell you otherwise then my path to personal discovery stays... personal. :D