[SOLVED] how to launch 'scim' in Debian jessie?

xiongnu · 01-24-2014, 11:50 AM

i installed 'Smart Common Input Method platform (SCIM)' in Debian jessie through synaptic package management in order to input chinese characters. installation went well, no error.

but i couldn't figure out how to launch the application. I used to be able to launch scim by pressing 'control+space' in debian 'squeeze' and 'wheezy'. but now 'control+space' doesn't do anything in 'Jessie', and if i typed 'scim' from command line, it displays some info and just hangs there.

any suggestions?

jdkaye · 01-24-2014, 12:27 PM

This may help you out (from aptitude show scim)

Quote:

Smart Common Input Method (SCIM) is an input method (IM) platform. Input methods are needed to
enter complex characters in many non-latin languages. SCIM provides a common platform for various
plugin modules and independent IM programs, as well as a set of modules and programs on its own.
It is highly modularized and exposes abstract interfaces, so that plugin modules with different
functions can easily communicate with each other. The currently supported module types are
configuration, IM engine, front end, filter, and setup GUI.

SCIM is a well accepted platform and features various input method engines for many languages. In
Debian you can find the following separately packaged IMs useful:
scim-tables-{additional,ja,ko,zh}, scim-pinyin, scim-uim, scim-m17n, scim-chewing, scim-anthy,
scim-canna, scim-prime, and scim-skk. GTK+ users would also find package scim-gtk-immodule useful
for GTK+ IM module support.

jdk

Randicus Draco Albus · 01-24-2014, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xiongnu

if i typed 'scim' from command line, it displays some info and just hangs there.

What information is displayed?

xiongnu · 01-25-2014, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randicus Draco Albus

What information is displayed?

this is the output of 'scim' at command prompt:

Code:

erdos@thinkpad:~$ scim
Smart Common Input Method 1.4.14

Launching a SCIM daemon with Socket FrontEnd...
Loading simple Config module ...
Creating backend ...
Loading socket FrontEnd module ...
Starting SCIM as daemon ...
Launching a SCIM process with x11...
Loading socket Config module ...
Creating backend ...
Loading x11 FrontEnd module ...
GTK Panel of SCIM 1.4.14

Starting SCIM ...

after that i've got a small keyboard icon appeared on the taskbar, but i can't bring up the interface for inputting chinese characters. I have the 'scim-pinyin' (chinese Input Method engine) installed along with 'scim'.

this used to be straight forward process in debian6/7 by pressing 'contrl+space'.

Randicus Draco Albus · 01-25-2014, 09:11 PM

Strange. Just out of curiosity, does left or right-clicking the icon produce any result?
It has been quite a while since I last used SCIM (I now use Ibus.), so the only thing I can think of off the top of my head is; have you installed scim-table-zh?

xiongnu · 01-25-2014, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randicus Draco Albus

Strange. Just out of curiosity, does left or right-clicking the icon produce any result?
It has been quite a while since I last used SCIM (I now use Ibus.), so the only thing I can think of off the top of my head is; have you installed scim-table-zh?

left clicking the icon doesn't do anything, by right-clicking the icon, i can bring out a menu, with the scim setup on the top, i checked setup, all seems fine, with IME engine set 'pinyin', the hotkey trigger - set at 'contl+space'.

i didn't have scim-table-zh installed, this table seems related to other input methods other than 'pinyin' method according to the descripton on synaptic. i installed it anyway and there is still no language input interface.

Randicus Draco Albus · 01-25-2014, 10:59 PM

Then I am out of ideas. Since you are using Testing, it might just be a bug that will be fixed shortly. If you want to experiment, replace SCIM with Ibus and see if it works. Personally, I think Ibus is better than SCIM.

xiongnu · 02-24-2014, 10:45 PM

after i removed '.xinputrc' from my home directory, then 'scim' works fine

from xfce with icewm:
programs->applications->system->language environment->input method configuration,
select 'remove IM user configuration /home/erdos/.inputrc' and reboot the machine

Randicus Draco Albus · 02-26-2014, 02:57 AM

Does

Quote:

remove IM user configuration

remove the .xinputrc file, or leave the file intact but delete its contents? I ask, because I would expect SCIM and Ibus to require that file. If not, then I have learned something. And I am glad you got it working.

好極了