IdeaWell

Project ideas from Hacker News discussions.

I Hate (Most) Keyboard 'Fn' Keys

Original Article

Hacker News Discussion

📝 Discussion Summary (Click to expand)

1. Fn‑key fatigue

"I find the 'wrong' FN keyboards annoying like OP" – zf00002

2. Natural scrolling debate

"It makes sense on a trackpad too which is what the majority of sold Macs come with. You’re “pushing” the document, not moving the scroll bars." – zapzupnz

3. Function‑key utility & customization

"I use F2 to switch to cell edit mode is very useful." – lepicz

🚀 Project Ideas

[FnLock Switcher]

Summary

  • Eliminates the mental tax of accidental Fn‑key actions by letting users lock or unlock Fn behavior on-the-fly.
  • Integrates as a lightweight OS‑level toggle that can be per‑application.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Power users, programmers, and professionals using external keyboards on macOS/Windows
Core Feature Automatic per‑app Fn‑key mapping toggle with a menu‑bar icon and optional hardware button
Tech Stack Electron + Node.js + platform‑specific hotkey libraries (e.g., electron-hotkey, keybindings)
Difficulty Medium
Monetization Hobby

Notes

  • HN users repeatedly cite the Fn key as a source of constant frustration; a one‑click solution would resonate. - Can be extended to expose per‑app profiles, increasing utility and potential for community plugins.

[KeyMap Studio]

Summary

  • A visual web editor for designing custom keyboard layouts, including Fn‑key remapping, without writing firmware.
  • Generates ready‑to‑flash QMK/VIA JSON for popular DIY keyboards.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Mechanical‑keyboard hobbyists, custom‑firmware builders, and remote workers seeking optimal layouts
Core Feature Drag‑and‑drop keycap designer with live preview and one‑click export to QMK/VIA configs
Tech Stack React + TypeScript + QMK API backend (Node.js)
Difficulty Low‑Medium
Monetization Revenue-ready: Subscription $5/mo for premium templates and export options

Notes

  • The Hacker News crowd loves tooling that democratizes advanced hardware customization.
  • Community‑driven template library could create network effects and sustain engagement.

[FnLock Dongle]

Summary

  • A USB “Fn‑lock” adapter that adds a physical toggle button to any keyboard, instantly locking/unlocking Fn behavior. - Plug‑and‑play, no drivers required.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Laptop users, external‑keyboard enthusiasts, and accessibility‑focused professionals
Core Feature Hardware toggle that remaps the Fn scan code to a static state, configurable via a tiny dip‑switch
Tech Stack STM32 microcontroller + USB HID firmware (open‑source)
Difficulty High
Monetization Revenue-ready: $25 per unit (pre‑order pricing)

Notes

  • HN members have discussed the lack of a physical Fn‑lock; a ready‑made dongle would fill a clear gap.
  • Opens possibilities for Kickstarter crowdfunding and subsequent accessories (LED indicators, firmware updates).

Read Later