i don't know what to tell you other than
http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/718...ymanual5gl.png
On dropline gnome. I've noticed dozens of little problems dotted throughout freerock and gware that are fine in dropline.
I think your problem may have something to do with the lack of a font, or the improper locale is set, but i doubt it... I would contact the people at freerock to provide a fix.