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 that research unfortunately stopped short of discovering that people outside of ANSI land have computers, too.
I’d wager that three out of four computer keyboards in existence are ISO keyboards.
Four out of five PCs worldwide are sold outside the US. (Source: https://www.mapsofworld.com/world-top-ten/world-top-ten-personal-computers-users-map.html)
I’ve also read that only few countries use ANSI, including the US. Can’t remember the source though. I’m not afraid to be wrong though :)
> If ISO was more used, why would manufacturers offer ANSI as the standard?
Both ANSI and ISO are standards. Manufacturers across the world offer both models, obviously. (Googling `ISO keyboard` yields over ten million results.)
Which brings me back to my original question: what is it that keeps manufacturers *in the mech scene* (and, by extension, mass-droppers) from offering both?
Total personal computer sales worldwide does not actually factor in all PCs, as I don't know a single person who has purchased a pre-built PC in the last 5 years. At best, retailers are selling laptops and portables anyway. This all ignoring the fact that other countries outside the US also use ANSI, as WindowsIME is making it a lot simpler to use PCs in other languages.
For you to have actual data, you'd first have to figure out what countries use (and purchase) ISO keyboards, and PCs that include ISO keyboards, and how many sold in those countries. And while I'm not entirely familiar with those countries, I recall there are also variants of the ISO layout which are used in different regions.
Do you have any source on that?
> Total personal computer sales worldwide does not actually factor in all PCs
Could be – but would you realistically expect that factoring in all PCs would change the 20% ratio by more than a few percentage points?
> there are also variants of the ISO layout which are used in different regions.
That’s a good point, and actually the most convincing argument I’ve read so far! All those ISO variants do share the same physical layout but there are still so many options for legends.
This fragmentation could very well explain why mech manufacturers would choose not to include ISO in small runs most of the time.
The burden of proof still remains on you, as I pointed out what was clearly necessary if you think ISO is as widespread as you think it is. I'll await your answer: "For you to have actual data, you'd first have to figure out what countries use (and purchase) ISO keyboards, and PCs that include ISO keyboards, and how many sold in those countries." Anything other than that is purely anecdotal.
2. Regardless, I have already disclosed to you what my sources are, which pieces of data I have and which I don’t. I have also acknowledged already that my guesswork might be wrong.
3. “This is not only due to the general scarcity of boards, but use of alternate formats like HHKB, 40%, etc. Has absolutely nothing to do with sales figures you think you might have.” Sorry but this looks like a complete non sequitur to me. It’s a bit like asking “why are polar bears white” and then getting as a reply: “because polar bears are generally scarce, and because they have alternative temperatures like 40 °F. Has absolutely nothing to do with colors of most other animals you think you might have.”