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
But if Massdrop had their european office in let's say Luxembourg (or any other EU country with low VAT) they would only need to charge 17% VAT. Especially the buyers from countries with high VAT would save a bit.
It's also about the hassle with the tax office. If I buy from the US, I dont get the package delivered to my house, instead I just get a letter from my nearest tax office. First, they have horrible opening times from 6:00 to15:30 and once a week from 6:00 to 18:00. It's like 20km away, than you have to sit there for like half to an hour, open the package in front of the tax officer, get weird looks because you bought keycaps for 200€, explain why you have bougth those weird expansive plastic keycaps, argue if they are tollfree or not (afaik keyboards, and keyboardparts are tollfree in Germany but dont count me on that), pay the VAT and drive home another 20km.
There's probably a better way. Got a Model M cable lately via Ebay from an US guy. Ebay handled all the tax/toll/shipping issues for like 20€ (well as expansive as the cable itself). The guy just send the cable to the nearest Ebay warehouse/office. I got the cable within 2 weeks directly delivered to my house with no additional hassle.
If Massdrop would go this way I would probably spend waaaaay to much money here, so better leave it the way it is.