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
This has been previously achieved with SP group buys, and I am hoping for GMK to slowly open their doors and minds. This group buy proves they are willing to work with the community, which is why I had high hopes this chance for the worldwide community of keyboard enthusiasts would not get wasted as I feel it is now.
Massdrop, keep your eyes on these comments, you can see I am not the only one waiting with my credit card in hand for the addition of an iso language kit. Please take the time and inquire for the MOQ for a language addon kit and put that on here, even if its a ridiculous price. Give us a chance :)
That is if you are certain that you can hit a MOQ of 500 for it...
I know your frustration, as a Brazilian mech user I also root for ISO sets and I never saw one with perfect legends for an ABNT2 keyboard. As Uniqey's opening approach, speculations being that it's a GMK service to sell custom keyboards AND keycaps, there is hope that those matters can be solved. Right now, they are not.
Alternatively, assuming you managed to convince intelli and Massdrop to allow you to tag an order along separately, you can purchase 500 MOQ of each ISO key, and a very rough approximation based on Hyperfuse will be $1 per key x 8 ISO keys x 500 sets = $4000. It is all about getting enough ISO users to split that ~$4000 cost.
If you really want to make this happen, I'll think having a concrete negotiation with intelli, Massdrop, GMK, opening a vote, getting interest checks in the forums, etc. will probably be a step in the direction instead of just making comments in this group buy with fuzzy suggestions.
However there has been so much whinging and complaining that I am floating an idea on GH: if Massdrop is down for it, after this buy ends, we run either (1) a mega pack with all the keys that people are asking for (ISO, alternate modifiers, winkeys, 1800, etc etc etc), or (2) a bunch of child deals with all the same keys, but split up.
This way there can be no more complaining, because the opportunity will have been offered.
I think either way will be a /magnificent/ flop. But apparently people can't accept that without actually going through the motions. So why not put the opportunity on the table and let it play out how it may, maybe we'll get a pleasant surprise on a kit or two. Then we'll have good data for the future, and it will be a lesson learned that we can point to to quash complaining in future buys.
There is no prospect whatsoever of changing the base set that's up now. It's final. But if people want to go through the motions to find out what we, frankly, already know -- that there's not enough support for the addons... well, let's let them see how it plays out? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
And you can't, not until we put the option out there and see how many people order. I am thankful to intelli78 for his willingness to put together an add on after this drop ends. I am purchasing a set now.
Intelli, if i can help you with the work to make this addon happen, I am on board.
Don't get me wrong, I think it would be awesome if it could be pulled off. But the odds are against it from the numbers floating about.
I will remain in touch with intelli to see if I I will run an ISO IC and group buy in the future, as he has made it clear on GH that such an effort would have his blessing, even if it did not involve his participation.
And that is worse than my original expectations: it is almost 90 extra keys. Basically an entire keyboard. I would **not** buy almost 90 keys to use just a handful. And no, I have **no** hope that this add-on would be successful, all keys combined or set aside by specific language.
If you want a drop for keys - run a group buy, don't just stand around and piss on the efforts of others because the keys you want (~5/90) were not included.
Why is it the responsibility of people who are organising successful group buys to come around and hold hands with people. Get involved, run an interest check for keys on your favourite forum, and if it works enough run a buy.
Broaden your forums usage so that you are involved in it, I mean if you missed it on gh, r/mk and deskthority, maybe you are too esoteric in your habits.
Intelli, brilliant job sorting this, keep up the good work.
Brazilian's mechanical keyboard market is tiny, limited to well-known companies: Razer, Corsair, Thermaltake. Only the truly fanatical users that also know how to read English knows that exists a whole new world beyond those limited options. And that is a tiny, tiny fraction of the population.
edit: i missed that great post that was mine but more elaborate, sorry to prattle on.