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
The project actually started in June 2015, at the time a hi-profile PBT set was a mirage. No manufacturer likes PBT and dye-sublimation is a fine art few can master. Anyway I presented the idea to MD that gave me unconditioned support!
To be clear: this is not a beamspring clone and it has very-little-to-nothing to share with SA. Thanks to the community we collected very rare vintage high profile keycaps and we started thinking how to make them work on modern keyboards. With that heritage we designed something that I believe --and I hope you'll agree-- is something beautiful and unique.
I'm also incredibly grateful to MD that agreed to make the tooling for both an angled and a flat bottom row. The former has probably a sleeker profile, but possibly the latter is better for long typing hours. Even better, you won't have choose one or the other because all base kits will get both versions! So try for yourself and pick what it is more comfortable to you.
I will give you more insights in the coming days (hours?) but I just wanted to chime in to say that this is a true work of passion, designed by enthusiasts for the community! The keycaps profile --unoriginally codenamed MT3-- will be available to anyone to use for future projects on MD. If you have a cool idea for a keycaps set to be released in this profile, just contact me or MD and we'll make your high-profile desires come true (hold on cowboy. not just yet! many moons have to pass yet).
See you later and stay tuned!