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
TL;DR -- you already know what makes them special. Its the case, the programmable pcb, the stickers, the Korean weighted springs -- precisely what you handwaved away in the comment. That *IS* what makes it special.
Although to the whole "If you have to ask this question, you're clearly not the niche of the niche market that it appeals to. " Don't readily make that assumption when somebody asks about value because I'm sure everybody has been in a similar situation and I'm sure we've all asked what's made a mechanical keyboard so special, what makes it 3-4x more expensive than a normal keyboard the first time we heard about it.
A few nitpicks though. You don't have to start from scratch. There's a small handful of PCBs (like the phantom, or the GH40-something) that you can buy and are re-programmable. Cases, stickers and korean switches can be bought via group buys. You have to know how to solder or beg somebody to do it for you and you're probably missing out on some craftsmanship.
As for the Gon or another custom, I'd love to try one definitely just so I can hash out the difference and quality.
The cost is a more difficult proposition for most; they see the parts that can be mass produced and wonder why the cost is what it is. It all boils down to supply vs demand -- if we were to have a drop for a parts-complete GON keyboard (similar to the ErgoDox drops), we could probably get the cost on a custom down to the $200 range, just like is achieved with the ErgoDox. Unfortunately, with the volume of production, that is about the best we could hope for.
As far as starting from scratch; I think you missed my point. Yes, there are absolutely several different PCB's to choose from; that is not what I was saying. I was saying that the process of building a PCB from the ground up is *VERY* involved. The prototyping phase alone can take months and thousands of dollars, while you work to get all your layers and layout built the way you want. I said 'a GON or similar' for this very reason -- if you're using a GH60, or a GON, or a SPRIT, or any of the pre-built PCB's, you don't qualify for the building from the ground up I mentioned. The purpose of the statement was to further back up the point of low volume, high demand product -- that the alternative for a pre-built PCB either involves hand-wiring, or instantly becomes far more complex -- and that the process of manufacturing said PCB is more involved on the production side than most would immediately think.