Add more Input Method in OpenSuSE 13.1

I need to use Traditional Chinese in OpenSuSE. To be able to input Traditional Chinese correctly, I need extra input method which support Traditional Chinese. It is same to Japanese, Thai, and etc.

In OpenSuSE 13.1, add an extra input method is different from 12.3. I am going to show you how to add my favorite Chewing （aka 新酷音）and switch between English and Chinese input method as in Windows 7 or earlier.

Install Chewing Package

Launch [YaST] → [Software Managements], search for ibus-chewing, tick to install and related packages.

Remember to logout and login again, or just reboot to load Intelligent Input Bus (aka iBus) automatically. Or you won’t be able to see it in input source later.

Add Input Method in System

In GNOME, launch [Settings] → [Languages]. In the lower [Input Sources], add [Chinese (Chewing) ] from [Chinese (Taiwan)].

If you preferred to switching between input methods instead of switching Chinese and English mode in Chewing, please also add [English (US)] in [English (United States)] at the same time.

Region and Language in GNOME Settings

 

Configure Chewing

Click on the 酷 (cool) icon and toggle 設定 (setting) to ON, the configuration dialog will pop-up. If you have install both Chewing and English as input methods and cannot see the menu as below, click in [English (US)] to English input method, and click on [Chinese (Chewing)] again to Chewing. Try again and you shall see the 設定 (setting) item

Menu items for Chewing input method.

You may fine tune the keyboard you preferred with Chewing. I always choose 漢語 (Han-Yu) as 鍵盤排列 (keyboard layout) in [鍵盤] (keyboard) tab of 設定 (setting) for Chewing.

If you have only Chewing input method, you may use [shift] key to switch between input for Chinese and English within Chewing input method.

But if you have more than one input method, you may use [Super] (Windows Key in most PC) + [Space] accelerator to switch to next input method.

For most people who moved from previous version, you might want to use the old accelerator [Ctrl] + [Space]. Launch the [Keyboard] in [Settings]. Choose [Shortcuts] tab, and select [Typing] on the left. Click on the [Super + Space] item which is on the right of [Switch to next input source], enter your favorite accelerator. Now, you may use your favorite accelerator as before.

Switching English and Chewing Input Method using Accelerator

Now, you may try to add your favorite input method in OpenSuSE 13.1 and the same accelerator as usual.

Reference

1. 新酷音—智慧型注音輸入法發展總部
2. Wiki: Intelligent Input Bus