I always thought this was just a joke: https://xkcd.com/1172/
The SpaceFN concept – setting up your space key as a layer switch
11–17 of 17 posts
Re: The SpaceFN concept – setting up your space key as a layer switch
#12Earlier quoted context omitted.
What is the case where you need to type lots of spaces? Usually tab is a better fit for this (not the tab character, but the tab button on the keyboard).
Typically, formatting plain text documents that aren't source code. I also want to use the tab key to make a tab character, though. I suppose that I could reprogram the tab key so that holding it down repeats spaces, but that's straying too far afield for my tastes. I can see how this scheme would be excellent for some, but for me, I'm pretty sure that I'd be happier making the fn key something else.
For that, I prefer to configure the editor to convert tabs into spaces, so I still use the tab key, as this is faster.
Re: The SpaceFN concept – setting up your space key as a layer switch
#13SpaceFN seems nice idea, but wow does this article feel like SEO bait. There are three introductory paragraphs about the idea of the idea of SpaceFN, rather than just describing it. The style feels a bit condescending, too…
Nice idea, though.
Re: The SpaceFN concept – setting up your space key as a layer switch
#14Earlier quoted context omitted.
Typically, formatting plain text documents that aren't source code. I also want to use the tab key to make a tab character, though. I suppose that I could reprogram the tab key so that holding it down repeats spaces, but that's straying too far afield for my tastes. I can see how this scheme would be excellent for some, but for me, I'm pretty sure that I'd be happier making the fn key something else.
For that, I prefer to configure the editor to convert tabs into spaces, so I still use the tab key, as this is faster.
I don't always use the same editor, and some of the editors I use can't be configured like that. But I'm curious -- what do you do when you want tabs?
Re: The SpaceFN concept – setting up your space key as a layer switch
#15I always thought this was just a joke: https://xkcd.com/1172/
LongtimeUser4 is clearly on to something here. :)
Re: The SpaceFN concept – setting up your space key as a layer switch
#16Earlier quoted context omitted.
For that, I prefer to configure the editor to convert tabs into spaces, so I still use the tab key, as this is faster.
I don't always use the same editor, and some of the editors I use can't be configured like that. But I'm curious -- what do you do when you want tabs?
I never want tabs in my files, as tabs render inconsistently across viewing apps. Tab characters are like nondeterministic spaces, so why would I use them?
Some things require tabs, like Makefiles. My editor (vim) is smart enough to know this when editing a Makefile and do the right thing.
Re: The SpaceFN concept – setting up your space key as a layer switch
#17This reminds me of the NeXT ADB keyboard that has 'Command' as a bar under the spacebar[1]. I appreciate the utility of remapping 'space' as a layer switch, but I would prefer not to have to unlearn 40 years of spacebar usage. I could see enjoying implementing this on a separate key that I can still whack with my thumb-- just not a key that falls within the standard ANSI PC layout. 1. https://deskthority.net/wiki/ima…
I never had the pleasure of trying one of those keyboards. The 6–7u-long spacebar is a trapping of its typewriter heritage just like QWERTY and staggered keys. Even on their full-size keyboards with numpads, Apple spacebars are only 5 keys wide. Thumbs are for Command! Even better: split spacebar! On my daily driver I only have a 1.25u key for my primary space. On the left I have a luxuriously large 2.25u SpaceFn key…
I never really went down the keyboard layer rabbit hole until recently when I was looking for a really good, small, portable mechanical keyboard and came across the Planck 40% kit over at Drop. I loved this idea of having a split spacebar with two dedicated keys for different layers.
I mean, it's kinda necessary for such a small board... But still, cool concept to my naive little mind.
Traditional space bars really do take up way too much... space...
https://drop.com/buy/planck-mechanical-keyboard?defaultSelec...