[SCIM] can't trigger scim input bar under debian testing/unstable

[Ming Hua]

On Wed, Jul 14, 2004 at 01:29:19AM +0800, Zhuang Yuyao wrote:
> I just tried 5 hours on making scim running in my debian
> testing/unstable box but failed. I've searched internet for guide line
> but there are so few documents about how to setup scim under debian.
> so I joined this mail-list and looking for a help.
[snipped]
> my purpose is to input chinese characters while keeping the english
> graphical user interface. here is what I'd done:
> 1)start xwindow system by type: #startxfce4
> 2)open a xterm
> 3)export XMODIFIERS=@im=SCIM  
> 4)export LC_CTYPE=zh_CN (the original value is POSIX)
> 5)scim -d  (the scim icon ( 'keyboard') appeared in system tray, but
> left click on it got no response, right click invoked some
> configuration menu) 
> 6)just within the xterm, typed '#gedit'. gedit window appreared but
> nothing happened while pressing ctrl-space .

I assume here you mean the same xterm terminal when you say ``within the
xterm''.  If not, always remember to run the export commands and gedit
in the same xterm.  You can also export the environment variables before
you start xfce4, this way you are not constrained to one xterm window.

The problem here is that you are not using XIM as the input method.
Since gedit is a gtk2 application, it will use the gtk immodules for
input, and to use scim through scim, you need to set one more
envirionment variable: use ``export GTK_IM_MODULE=xim'' with your other
exports before start gedit.  Another way to change this is right click
in gedit, choose Input Methods -> X Input Method.

> so I installed scim-gtk2-immodule-0.9.7-2.  repeated step 1) to step
> 6), gedit window opened and scim input bar appeared when I pressd
> ctrl+spacel. but I can't find the way to input chinese. a menu with
> two submenu items displayed when left click on the scim icon in system
> tray. but the captions of those two submenu items are the same ----
> 'English'. 

I am not sure what is happening here, it's either a locale problem or a
gtk immodule problem.  Would you please look at the right click menu ->
Input Methods, and tell what the current choice is?

> Is there anyone who have successfully configured scim in a debian
> unstable box? Can I use scim to input chinese characters while keep my
> english graphical user interface? any help will be appreciated.

I have been using scim in English environment (GNOME) on Debian since
the first day I use scim.  It has always been working quite well.  I
also know a lot of others using scim in English enviroment.  I believe
most of your problem can be solved by setting the GTK_IM_MODULE
variable.

Hope this helps,
Ming
2004.07.13

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Physics is much too hard for physicists.                 --- David Hilbert
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