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
Edit: it arrived this morning (got woken up by the guy, glad I still managed to answer at the door =_=) So, just under a week to France. Seems it even passed customs without getting taxed :)
Switch placement was easy (Universal MIT plate), soldering a breeze (don't use too much solder!). I can only repeat what other said about the PCB : gorgeous. (I must admit I was intrigued when I first red such comment but yes it is that great). I used gateron blacks on alphas, whites on outer columns and part of the bottom row and reds for the 4 central thumbs keys (full grid). I sip socketted all whites and two central reds. I am impressed by the overall quality and how all fit together so nicely. My top plate do have very very very slightly wave artifacts on the bottom right and left edges but honnestly I would only gently file these because I know these are here (nothing that catches the eye) and because it's the least I can do regarding this cute and so beautifully made device.
Because I used SA keys the resonance is quiet there though (a little less once screws are in), I tried with rubber pieces placed in between the top and the bottom and this reduce highs by a huge amount. Still have to perform more tests with DSA and thick PBT I got here but, as the default layout doesn't totally makes sense for me, my next step is onto programming.
Thanks Jack, Jack, Jack, Jack and Jack! Definitively worth the wait!
When it is all said and done do you feel as stoked as when you starting seeing pictures of these types of keyboards in chatrooms or would you just get a Pok3r with clears if you had to do it all over again? Did this inspire you to double down and design your own keyboard from scratch using a teensy?
Programming is finished but layout is always improving :) I have only one macro (caplocks backlight) for now (that may sooner or later turn into shiftlock)! LT() and MT() functions are great to get rid of extraneous action functions but I had to hack it and add C functions to be able to have modifiers on hold and modifier+key on tap. This is a very particular case where I wanted to have Hyper (Shift+Opt+Cmd+Ctl) as a modifier on a key and have left parenthesis (Shift+9) when tapping the same key. I had the same problem with my left space key where I wanted non breakable space on tap (Opt+Space or Unicode 0x00A0) and switch to secondary SpaceFN layer on hold. But in the end got these working :). Couldn't make Unicode output to behave nicely which could have been great to get rid of localized input methods but would have result in a much more tedious work in the end to set up my layout I guess. I tried and doesn’t look like related to the OS unicode setup which works when testing ‘by hand’, maybe an OS related unicode mapping but as I found workarounds...
Bluetooth, I think I'll give up on this one, my idea was to use the Planck wired to main host, add bluetooth and a switch allowing a KM box like behaviour with a laptop. Thing that annoyed me about Bluetooth is that it feels overpowered for such application, I have another wireless keyboard using IR and may study/use this instead. For now I have added a 2PDT switch to an old USB 1 hub I had around and made me an USB switch (switching Data- and Data+ only, ground and V+ coming from the desktop computer), this allows me to share planck+trackball between computers.
Before this drop started I had stocked all parts (teensy, diodes, switches, caps -not these SA ones obviously- bottom case) to make a kind of atomic (60% full grid) except the top plate, I was finalizing dxf to send to a metal cutting company. But the planck footprint and this drop milled bottom were too attractive and would be my christmas gift. I was also already using a SpaceFN layer through a software solution so I guess I had already a foot in. Yup really satisfied, love the PCB, love the milled bottom, love the OLKB engraving on the back, would have loved to have a serial engraved there as well but meh, the top plate switch cutouts are great. Staggered layout frustration when touch typing is gone. With milled bottom, feets are a joke though (maybe I should have clean with soap or alcool the case first), they don't stay in place when you start carrying the Planck around, in a bag, etc. They move and glue starts to smear on the case. I miss a trackpoint or a integrated trackball though for portability, mousekeys are not really making it for me. For switches I may go full red with black modifiers dunno still testing this setup. I really like SA and light switches these days. Gaterons are really smooth and pleasing. They are coming out great with SIP sockets until you cut them properly to fit (I had one socket cut too large that while staying in place made the switch top pops on a side, using SIP sockets bars I cut here.)
To answer your last questions, keyboards always look better in pictures. Coming from a Pure Pro (Poker X PCB) there are no chance I will get one of this kind in the future. Yes I have ideas/needs that I have not seen someone turn into reality yet :)