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: specifically, what size are these keys: http://imgur.com/BYnTdgq and what to look for in keycap sets to make sure i can get this layout
the 3 on the left of the spacebar are standard 1.25u, 6.25u spacebar, 1.5u ctrl and 1.5u alt on the right and a 1.75u right shift. *(Figured I should edit this as you said you were still new, a 'standard bottom row' would be 6.25u space bar with 3 1.25u modifers on the left and 4 1.25u modifiers on the right and a 2.75u right shift.) From what I have seen the GMK sets that have been dropping recently will have you covered. They have a lot more keys in the standard kit and generally cover most standard sets, outside of international or something like an ergodox. Also why they are more expensive. GMK Hydro, that Keyclack.com has, https://www.keyclack.com/product/gb-gmk-hydro/, is still available and I think should cover that layout, but it is not cheap. Really, is anything cheap in this hobby? However, if you were looking at an SA set, like Jukebox https://www.massdrop.com/buy/18515 that just shipped, or Godspeed https://www.massdrop.com/buy/25045 that dropped a couple months ago, you would need to make sure to get the Non-standard/Tsangan kits, in addition to the alphas, modifiers/TKL, Numpad... what would fill out a standard 104/108 full size keyboard. GMK Sky Dolch at Originative would also be an option https://www.originativeco.com/products/sky-dolch?variant=21266406533.
That said, I don't believe the Tai Hao sets that show up here every now and again (https://www.massdrop.com/buy/tai-hao-purple-pbt-doubleshot-keycap-set) will fit it properly. I have the blood red set and it does not have the 1.5u bottom row modifiers or the 1.75u shift that you would need. On the other hand, if you can get an EnjoyPBT/Gateron set, like these from Mechanical Keyboards https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1652, you will be able to fill it out. There is a possibility that this set that is on MD right now could fit it https://www.massdrop.com/buy/vortex-backlit-pbt-doubleshot-keycap-set based on the images, BUT as is typical with Massdrop, the photos conflict with the description.
Keyclack is also running a Group Buy for a different profile of keys, the XDA, which are similar to Signature Plastics DSA (Overcast is a recent example) https://www.keyclack.com/product-category/group-buys/xda-milestone/ IF you have never used a DSA set, they are relatively flat in profile with a bit of a dish in the top for your fingertips. Not FLAT like a laptop keyboard, but relatively flat compared to GMK/Cherry or SA. Keyclack also has a spreadsheet on the order page so you can make sure you've ordered all the sets you need to fill your board.
this might help a bit for better understanding, if you've any more questions, just ask.
And the RShift is 1.75u
96% 6u space, arrows, winkeyless http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/63ae77167cd9b10ad2ff38c87876d815
96% (Standard) 6.25u space, no arrows http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/f26baeeda97e4cc39147241f08eb0497
96% (Standard) 6.25u space, arrows, winkeyless http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/01f37a3c9d9fc4384fcde73acb50c891
96% 7u space, no arrows, winkeyless http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/2ca807d6ca5f0ec545f127dbf0bb4a01
96% 7u space, arrows, winkeyless http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/ab3015a776e95997c1a6f3b2967b634c
104 key to compare your existing stock keycaps: http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/4496c0c3de990eaad79386ad331b0c0a