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
What OS do I use it with? Linux (many flavors) & Windows 7 and 10, it works just fine, the YODA 2 is completely driver-less, you can even adjust the SPEED of the track-point WITHOUT a driver! It can be done in hardware (through re-programming and real-time using FN keys).
Using mechanical switches for mouse-buttons is honestly a great experience, it is tactile (I use greens and I dislike linear switches). It feels firm and you couldn't just click (press) it by mistake.
The following photo shows how the mouse keys are lower and angled compared to the space bar and the rest of the layout.
Visit it and see for yourself! It creates a configuration file that you upload to your keyboard. The configuration is then preserved no matter which computer you plug it into (as I said before, this is a driver-less keyboard)! You can configure 3 layers of FN keys + macros! You can pretty much change ANY key to do anything (with or without FN's being pressed). It is 100% re-programmable.
Explore the web configuration tool, click a key you'd like to edit and re-assign it to a different function and or macro, you will see how easy it is to re-program!
By the way, I have my right ALT, right MENU, right WIN and right SHIFT keys configured as right, down, left, and up arrow keys (in that order) - I matched the DIP switches settings from my YODA 1 since I got so used to it!
Honestly, I'd still consider this keyboard if you see yourself using a Track-Point at all!
As I said above in my other comment, I have mapped my right ALT, right MENU, right WIN and right SHIFT keys as right, down, left, and up arrow keys (in that order). For page slide keys you can easy make them FN left arrow and FN right arrow (after the re-map above), or FN + '<' and FN + '>', and so on. Again it is 100% re-programmable and with ANY 60% layout, you're going to become an FN key master! YODA 2 supports 3 levels of FN BTW!
But yes, there is indeed a learning curve, and once you get there you will see how fast and quick it is and with YODA 2 having the track-point you'll never even need a mouse, even for little annoying things that cannot be done with keyboard shortcuts. I too use keyboard shortcuts for 98% of everything, the remaining 2% gets handled by the track-point, and it is a MUCH better experience than moving my hands off the keyboard to the mouse to do something simple!