On Monday 22 May 2006 09:47, Mello wrote:

On 5/22/06, sam wrote:

...

Dear Reader,

Sorry if my question seems repetitive, but I need to find a way to switch two keys on the keyboard, say [Q] and [Z] and [shit+Q] and [shift+Z].

A couple of people were kind enough to answer my post. They recommended XKeyCaps, XmodMap, and a Linux Keyboard HowTo, located at:

http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Keyboard-and-Console-HOWTO.html

However, given my newbie status, unfamiliarity with programming in general, etc., I haven't been able to get far with those suggestions.

For years I have been typing on the Dvorak Keyboard layout, where [Q] is actually a ['] and [Z] actually a [:]. When I used to use Windows, a program by the name of Quickeys would take care of switching key values for me (I wish such a pleasant GUI program, intended to reset key values on the keyboard, among other functions, were available for Linux).

At any rate, would someone have a suggestion for me. Especially one that's not too intricate...

Thanks for reading.

Sam

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Hi Sam, apologies in advance if my reply sounds too trivial :) But have you tried with YaST (I assume you are using SUSE)?

If you don't know that already YaST is the configuration program used by SUSE Linux. You should be able to find it in the "start" menu, under System -> Configuration -> YaST (Control Center).

Once you're in YaST (you must provide "root" password), simply select Hardware -> Keyboard Layout. You should be able to find the Dvorak layout in the list or, in any case, a layout that corresponds to your actual keyboard or suits your needs.

Good luck, -mw

I took a quick look and there is a variant for a UK keyboard that is dvorak in YaST. You set the Type, then the Layout, then the varient. i.e. you may select "Genreic 105-key (Intl) PC", then "US English", then "dvorak". Use this if you need system wide changeover. Also, if you look in kcontrol (Personal Settings) you should find under "Regional & Accessibilty", "Keybard Layout" that you should be able to setup alternative layouts. When configured, you can switch between configurations using a flag in the system tray. (I've just tried this and it works inc. dvorak) This should be enough if you're happy to remain in the KDE desktop environment, but won't work if you use the gnome desktop, or the consoles on vt 1-6. HTH -- Steve Boddy