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
As a small kid there were all kinds of devices that I loved playing with. As soon as I figured out how to use a screwdriver, I had to open anything that had screws on it. Unfortunately, there wasn't a mechanical keyboard around.
Not until I found Massdrop, some 20 years down the line. After so much typing on a "plain" keyboard, I discovered a group of people interested in mechanical keyboards and I joined one of the drops for a Cooler Master switch tester. That was my first experience with any mechanical keyboard.
My first experience with a functioning mech keyboard was two days ago. After a lot of planning and budgeting (I'm building my first pc as well), I am the proud owner of a Cooler Master Masterkeys Pros S. Brown switches. I'm still getting used to typing on it and trying really, really hard not to bottom out (and not to open it up with a screwdriver, not yet). I'll get there eventually. And I know I'll get a pok3r and a Realforce in the not too distant future. Gotta try them all.
What are you putting in your pc?
Here's my list of pc parts (and peripherals, including the chair). https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/user/KAPS1M0/saved/dKZ6Mp
The idea is that I'm building a pc around a gtx 970 that I won last year. So most of the pc will be composed of the newest generation of parts, with the exception of the graphics department. That will be my first upgrade (maybe accompanied by a new mech keyboard) next year.