====== Set up SCIM in XFCE======

===== What is SCIM? =====
SCIM stands for 'Smart common input method' ([[http://www.scim-im.org]]). The SCIM engine can act as an input method for any language, including complex languages such as Chinese.  It is easy to use SCIM tables to create a custom keyboard.

===== Why would I wish to use it? =====
SCIM is a useful alternative to xkb for switching between keyboard layouts. SCIM provides some functions that xkb does not. I personally use it to type ancient Greek, pointed Hebrew, and Chinese.

===== How to set up SCIM in XFCE =====
SCIM is no more difficult to setup in XFCE than in Gnome or KDE.  The easiest, user-level way to set up SCIM is to edit the .Xsession file:

  LANG=en_US.UTF-8
  export LANG
  XMODIFIERS="@im=SCIM"
  export XMODIFIERS
  GTK_IM_MODULE="scim"
  export GTK_IM_MODULE
  scim -d&
  
  startxfce4

Set LANG to your own local language, of course. SCIM should work as long as the locale is UTF-8. After doing this, SCIM will work in XFCE by default.

Good luck, and have fun.