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
Such a shame there's no support for stepped capslock. Really great for vintage cherry caps, along with the 1.5-1-1.5-7-1.5-1-1.5 bottom row.
This kit can get more expensive than a white fox for international customers due to the markup for caps and much higher shipping rate.
But I do sense a few more ISO things coming up this year for keycaps.
When talking about upcoming ISO things this year, I've been barking up that tree alot but want to be a little more elaborate on what I personally really hope for. I've seen a couple of ISO options recently that I had to pass on. You will hardly find alot of buyers for ISO Poker or ISO TKL keyboards since they are available in the EU with free shipping and no tax/customs.
Regarding ISO keycaps, please consider that if the only ISO option is a UK kit, other ISO folks might not be willing to pay 100$+ for keycaps that have the right layout but the wrong legends. In that price range, it's about getting a perfect set or nothing. Things look differently when it comes to cheaper keycap sets (<50$) where I care less about the legends if I can just get the keys right. Just adding those four ISO-specific caps to the common chinese keycap sets (Vortex, NPKC, TaiHao, Gateron ...) would really make me happy.
EDIT: Oh and one more question regarding the layout options. I took a closer look at the variants and got a little confused by this pic:
1.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 7 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 Bottom row but it is labeled as a 1.5 | 1.25 | 1.25 | 7 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 Bottom row Please tell me the labels are wrong and the graphic is right :(