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
If you don't know me, I'm Andy aka livingspeedbump (long story) aka LSB. I've run KeyChatter.com for years and been actively designing and creating within the mech keys community for years. My first set, Jukebox SA, was the very first SA keycap set to ever run on Massdrop, and recently my GMK Honeywell set won Keycap Set of the Year in the 2017 Deskthority awards. I've also helped design keyboards, like the UNIQEY C70 that recently sold on Massdrop.
One of my favorite parts of this community is watching is grow, and helping out new folks along the way. I know this can be a very intimidating hobby to get into with all the new lingo, available options, customization, mods, etc. My contact info is at the end of this post, so if you are new and have questions please don't hesitate to reach out to me! KEYCAPS Keycaps are just that - the plastic pieces that cover your keyboard. Keycaps themselves are generally interchangeable across keyboards (so long as they have the same, plus-sign stem known as a “Cherry Stem”). They’re easy to put on and take-off of a keyboard. Custom keycap sets are a staple of the mech keys community, and are far more than just a visual overhaul. They often provide an entirely new typing experience to a keyboard. The Scrabble keycaps are high quality PBT with dye sub legends. These legends will never wear off!
KEYBOARD The WASD keyboard included in this bundle is a very high quality tenkeyless board (no numpad). I have a comprehensive review on the fullsize, but otherwise identical WASD V2 here: https://www.keychatter.com/2015/08/07/review-wasd-v2/
WASD makes some of the finest production boards on the market. I love the understated design and exceptional build quality!
INSTALLATION You may be wondering how you install the caps on your keyboard, and how difficult the process may be. Fear not, it’s VERY easy!
In this case, because you’re getting a separate keyboard and keycaps, you’ll simply have to place the keycap over the proper key, press down, and boom - keycap attached! The larger keys like the spacebar and enter keys can take a little more fidgeting, but they’re just as easy to put on. The only additional thing you’ll need to know for them is that there are additional stabilizers that you’ll need to attach to line-up with the keycap when you put it on. Hopefully this was of some help for everyone! Again, if you have ANY questions at all please don’t hesitate to reply to me here or send me a message to me at Reddit, GeekHack, or Deskthority (my username is livingspeedbump there as well.)
For those that want to dive into the hobby a bit more, here are a few more resources I've written to help you find your way even deeper down the rabbit hole:
Mech Keys 101: https://www.massdrop.com/talk/2784/mechanical-keyboards-101-an-introduction-to-the-hobbyPhysical Layouts Explained: https://www.massdrop.com/talk/947/keyboard-layouts-explained-in-detail-many-pics Happy Scrabbling! -LSB