SCIM installation on Gentoo

Assumptions:

1. You have not yet installed SCIM.
2. You have just done an emerge sync
3. This is a system-wide change
4. You are running as root

Step 1: Set your locale

Using SCIM means using character sets outside the normal POSIX range; Unicode characters.

locale

All of the entries should be either blank or say "POSIX", Unless your locale has been previously set.

locale -a | grep utf

Gives a list of all the unicode locales availble on your system. Choose the language you want your menus to be in, NOT the one you are setting up for. For example, a Frenchmen wanting to write japanese would choose fr_FR.utf8.

Now, following the Frenchman example:

echo LANG="fr_FR.UTF-8" >> /etc/env.d/02locale
env-update
source /etc/profile

Notice the change from utf8 to UTF-8. This is needed.

locale

Make sure it has taken effect. If not, restart, reboot, ask questions later.

Please consult the general configure page about SCIM supported locales. If no utf8 locales is available in your system, please refer to Gentoo Linux Localization Guide about how to add one.

Step2: set your USE flags and rebuild

add nls cjk unicode immqt-bc to your USE flags in make.conf.

emerge --newuse world

to make your system consistant. It could take a long time.

Step 3: Install your input method.

The Frenchman wants to install japanese, and now, with the assurance the rest of his menus will not show English again, he does a

emerge uim

This is the layer that takes care of the interpretations between your keyboard and what shows up onscreen. UIM is popular, but not the only methods SCIM can handle. See the ebuild for details.

Now, to make it work.

Step 4: Install Scim and its relatives

emerge scim scim-uim skim

Scim is you chooser for Gtk+/Gnome Apps. Scim-UIM is the intergace between UIM and Scim, and adds all its functions to the menu. Skim is the Qt/Kde version of the interface.

Once they are re-installed, you really should reboot to let the changes filter through your system.

Step 5: Test

once your system has rebooted and you are logged back in, check your locale again, and meke sure you set it correctly.

In KDE and Gnome, you should notice Skim is now in the system tray. Klicking it revals a menu with differnt languages. Refer to the Scim Documentation.