different layouts for different keyboards

lvm_ · 08-14-2021, 09:35 AM

I have two physical keyboards connected. Is it possible to set up different layouts for each of them at the same time?

business_kid · 08-14-2021, 12:21 PM

Don't think so, without special software. You can set up fairly exactly what is seen, which may be useful.

I think there's some gimmicks for Chinese/Japanese because of the number of characters involved.

DavidMcCann · 08-15-2021, 10:43 AM

Are both keyboards even recognised? When Linux starts, it checks the ports until it finds a keyboard and I can't see why it should carry on looking.

If both keyboards are working, then the solution is to install two drivers using the desktop and to switch to the one you want using the keyboard tool on the panel. Then just use the physical keyboard which matches your selection.

ondoho · 08-15-2021, 01:09 PM

If you use Xorg:
Just like with Dual screens, Xorg uses device identifiers for keyboards. Maybe it's possible to have 2 separate indentifiers for two keyboards, then this should be easy:

Code:

$> cat /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/01-keyboard-layout.conf
Section "InputClass"
        Identifier "system-keyboard"
        MatchIsKeyboard "on"
        Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection
# wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xorg/Keyboard_configuration#Using_X_configuration_files

DavidMcCann · 08-16-2021, 11:29 AM

As ever, Ondoho is on course! You can do it with xorg.conf if you have two separate device entries. In each put the name of the keyboad as its identifier and add a line like

Code:

MatchUSBID     "05ac:0236"

You can find the correct ID with the command

Code:

lsusb -v