Hello,

I'm trying (quite hard) to like the Slackware Linux and Xfce4 combination (GNOME is my preferred DE) but I'm having problems with the keyboard layout.

Before I start X, the keyboard layout is set correctly (gb) but, after starting Xfce, the keyboard layout defaults to US.

If I change it at the Xfce settings dialogue, Xfce ignores it (it worked the first time I changed it, then I logged out, and now I cannot change the keyboard layout anymore--despite the dialogue stating the correct layout).

Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong?

Thanks.

That en_US for all sucks, doesn't it? It's a Slackware default.

hack /etc/profile.d/lang.sh to fix that.

For X, I have a 90-keyboard.conf in /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d with the line

XkbLayout "gb" #(instead of "us")


for Ireland. Learn this stuff, and configure for your own area. Have fun.

I altered lang.sh and added a new "Input" section to a new file and placed it in "/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to make any difference to X (perhaps something was overriding it somewhere)?

I've reinstalled Slackware and Xfce has now actually taken some notice of the change of keyboard layout in its settings dialogue. I wish I knew what was wrong with it before!

I can't see myself using Slackware as a desktop (I've just noticed how difficult it's going to be to install some of the software I like to use (e.g. Inkscape)). Xfce regularly loses its panel and often doesn't log out correctly either .

Anyway, thank you very much for your reply.

You don't just pick up Slackware, imho. You promote yourself to it.

The pros are: steady up to date system; stays put the way you set it. What attracted me to slackware was a guy who had slack on a box for 8 years without a reinstall! I wouldn't advise that always, but that's stability.
You get slackbuild scripts for things like inkscape
http://slackbuilds.org/repository/12...hics/inkscape/

The cons are mainly that you do the work. It's not as automagic as some others. A certain level of competence is required, as well as the patience to deal with faults. But you learn loads.

I got very fed up with distros that inevitably fall on their swords after a year or two because of updates clashing with something and you get crazy faults and it all ends in tears and a reinstall. All their fancy script don't do what I wanted to do, etc. I _hate_ setting a box up for myself. I want to use linux, not play with it.