Chaning keyboard layout

chris_crunch · 03-17-2016, 10:21 AM

From the command line, I want to start using dvorak.

Code:

chris@chris-crunch:~$ localectl status
   System Locale: LANG=en_GB.UTF-8
                  LANGUAGE=en_GB:en
       VC Keymap: n/a
      X11 Layout: us
       X11 Model: pc105
     X11 Variant: dvorak

Does anyone know how I switch?

I didn't expect it to give me this message:

Code:

chris@chris-crunch:~$ localectl list-keymaps
Couldn't find any console keymaps.

Shadow_7 · 03-17-2016, 10:57 AM

One debian based distros it tends to be:

# dpkg-reconfigure keyboard-configuration

Otherwise there's a bunch of little things you'll need to change to have it take affect in the various places.

DavidMcCann · 03-17-2016, 11:40 AM

If you're using a GUI, why mess with the CLI? Try entering the menu with System Settings - Text Entry.

Shadow_7 · 03-17-2016, 04:49 PM

Not all GUI managers have that feature or put it in the same place or call it the same name. Where the CLI package management way is more of a learn it once endeavor(per packaging system). Plus if you want it changed for the NON-gui portions, the GUI way might not accomplish that goal. But whatever works for you, use.

DavidMcCann · 03-18-2016, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow_7

Not all GUI managers have that feature or put it in the same place

Which is why I checked at the Ubuntu site first ...

Incidentally, if you can tell me of any desktop (as opposed to window manager) that doesn't have a tool for keyboard configuration, I'd be interested: I thought I'd used them all.

Shadow_7 · 03-18-2016, 03:57 PM

Doesn't have a gui tool for keyboard customizations, lots. If you're expecting it to exist as a desktop icon or a menu item by default. That could depend as much on the distro as it does on the environment. I recall gentoo circa 2004 and the menus by default were empty. At least on many of the non-kde non-gnome options that I tried. Sure you could add them, but you would have to know they existed and their name. And probably install them too.

chris_crunch · 03-29-2016, 03:15 AM

Thanks guys.

Code:

dpkg-reconfigure keyboard-configuration

worked fine, although I didn't see DVORAK listed.

Would it be listed under another name, or if not do I have to install it somehow?

Shadow_7 · 03-29-2016, 04:01 PM

# dpkg-reconfigure keyboard-configuration

select generic 105
select English (US) - English (Dvorak)

(or whatever applies)

So I guess select type, then select layout. You have to go more than one layer deep. Not always easy if your current layout doesn't have cursor, tab, and enter keys assigned to expected keys. But they are probably assigned to some key, or plug in a different keyboard to have more options.