How can I automatically change the system keyboard layout when plugging in an external keyboard?

Posted by Andrew Bolster on Ask Ubuntu See other posts from Ask Ubuntu or by Andrew Bolster
Published on 2011-11-09T15:59:05Z Indexed on 2012/04/13 11:45 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 516

Filed under:

keyboard

|

laptop

|

keyboard-layout

|

xubuntu

|

xubuntu-desktop

I have a US-Style laptop, which is fine, but I also have a UK-style Ergonomic USB keyboard.

As such I usually have the US key layout set, but when I settle in at my desk and use the UK USB keyboard I find myself making stupid mistakes on symbols (normally a pretty good touch typist on either ergo or standard kbd).

Can anyone think of a clean way of setting the keyboard layout based on the inferred layout/USBID of any plugged in Keyboard?

Even having a custom setting such as adding a specific USB ID to a runtime script that checks if its plugged in or not. Can this be done without the user having to logout/in? I remember doing something similar with xorg.conf, but that required logout.

© Ask Ubuntu or respective owner

Related posts about keyboard

HTG Reviews the CODE Keyboard: Old School Construction Meets Modern Amenities

as seen on How to geek - Search for 'How to geek'
There’s nothing quite as satisfying as the smooth and crisp action of a well built keyboard. If you’re tired of mushy keys and cheap feeling keyboards, a well-constructed mechanical keyboard is a welcome respite from the $10 keyboard that came with your computer. Read on as we put the… >>> More
how to set keyboard for phonetic Hindi typing oneiric for Wx keyboard on QWERTY keyboard

as seen on Ask Ubuntu - Search for 'Ask Ubuntu'
I am trying to type documents in Hindi language. My OS: Ubuntu 11.10 Gnome environment (http://packages.ubuntu.com/search?keywords=gnome-session-fallback) I do not use unity interface.The method is shown here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL7icGNhIfI I am able to type in Hindi in Libreoffice and… >>> More
Send regular keyboard samples OR keyboard state changes over network

as seen on Game Development - Search for 'Game Development'
Building a multi player asteroids game where ships compete with each other. Using UDP. Wanted to minimize traffic sent to server. Which would you do: Send periodic keyboard state samples every from client every to match server physics update rate e.g. 50 times per second. Highly resilient to packet… >>> More
Non Blocking Keyboard on WinCE accessing the virtual keyboard

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
Hello Guys, I am desperately looking for a solution that enables me to read keyboard events in a non blocking way. These Keyboard events are generated by a VIRTUAL KEYBOARD that comes with the WinCE device. I have a console application running in C++, where the user is asked to navigate via 'ESC'… >>> More
Fix keyboard orientation in landscape iPad app (upside down keyboard)

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I'm converting a landscape (UIInterfaceOrientationLandscapeRight) iPhone app to be a universal app. So far I've got the orientation working properly: the iPad version will launch with the right splash graphic and start in the right orientation (LandscapeLeft or LandscapeRight) depending on how the… >>> More

Related posts about laptop

Why does my laptop resume immediately after suspend?

as seen on Ask Ubuntu - Search for 'Ask Ubuntu'
I seem to be having some problem with suspend mode. Every time I try to suspend my laptop, it just locks the screen. Or maybe it successfully suspends just to resume only an instant after. What could cause such a behaviour? I'm running 32-bit Ubuntu 12.04 with the 3.2.0-25 kernel on a HP dv5-1178er… >>> More
Use laptop A's LCD as secondary monitor for laptop B

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
I have a working laptop (laptop A), but am interested in using the laptop's LCD as a secondary monitor for my main laptop (laptop B)...is there a way to do this via software or cabling without modifying laptop A? OS's are Windows XP SP3 and Windows 7. >>> More
Charging a laptop battery, without a laptop.

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
I have an old-ish laptop that only works on AC power because the battery is old and no longer holds a charge. I live in Christchurch New Zealand where there has recently been a number of very large earthquakes. During one of these earthquakes my laptop was thrown from my desk to the floor and now… >>> More
Aluminum Laptop Cases vs Leather Laptop Cases

as seen on Article City - Search for 'Article City'
Both aluminum and leather have been known for their excellent qualities in the world of business, travel and even fashion; but when it comes to choosing one, there are certain qualities that put alum... [Author: Shannon Hilson - Computers and Internet - March 23, 2010] >>> More
How to compare old laptop to new laptop?

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
I hope this question doesn't get closed at once :) I have an old laptop, a Compaq NC4200, which is going its final laps around the track these days. Battery is dead, and everything kinda runs slow. It also has only 1GB of memory, and even though I don't know if it can take more, I probably wouldn't… >>> More