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
Everyone is different and each person faces variety of situations, so I don't think there can be one "best keyboard for productivity", even for individual! I define keyboard productivity with characteristics that maximize output over decades of time. This can be described as formula: Rate of Output x Hours of Work x Longevity of Keyboard Career Each component in the formula can be generalized as: * Rate of output is closely related to type of work and hands. If you work in an application that requires frequent usage of function keys, mini keyboard might be bad idea. On the other hand, if you have tiny hands, it might be better to press FN+1 than reach out for F1. * Hours of work is closely related to fatigue and motivation. ** Those who need to work the keyboard a lot often find their hands tired by end of day. Keyboard with right amount of actuation pressure and backplate shock absorbtion often doubles/triples hours of work without strain. ** Motivation comes from right feel--switch actuation, keycap tactility, aesthetics, etc. For example, while this may not work for everyone, I really enjoy typing on noisy keyboard (vintage buckling spring or blue switches) on down days. * Last but not least, Longevity basically depends on not getting hurt, avoiding RSI. There are countless articles and opinions in this area, but the danger is it doesn't grab one's attention until pain comes and by then remedies have diminishing returns.
Here is my keyboard combination that keeps me productive. I work more than half day on computer doing programming (emacs+evil, majority c++, debugging), productivity applications (mostly MS Office) and web surfing (lots of tabs). Occasionally, I'm on go either on my notebook or on public terminal. My workhorse is TKL mechanical keyboards with switch and keycaps suiting the mood. I have registry key assignments and AutoHotKey set up with SUPER, HYPER modifiers and Function keys supporting my style of keyboard "play." The key point here is keyboard is only half the equation for productivity. SW setup plays far bigger role in reducing amount of keystrokes. When I have a long day or if I feel my hands are tired, I use Topre keyboard which I find helpful because of rubber dome since I tend to hit backplate often. When I'm on the go on my own notebook, I use 40% keyboard with key assignments pretty similar to my desktop. I want to minimize training two sets of muscle memory. This is also relevant when I go work on public terminal with standard setup. My general rule of thumb is 1) keystroke efficiency, 2) repetitive motion avoidance, 3) 70% consistency 30% variation.
For future, I have 75% custom on order with split space bar. When I played with 40% keyboard, I really liked using more thumb. Programmability drew me as well, but it turns out I already had enough programmability on desktop with AutoHotKey. Custom 75% will give me right number of keys with high density, but spread out enough to avoid repetitive motion.