Local language support in open source operating systems is very simple and powerull than in windows or any other operating systems. Here I am explaining how malayalam enabling in ubuntu. Latest version of ubuntu is 8.04…but here i am explaining ubuntu 7.10(previous version) also.

ubuntu 7.10

For ubuntu 7.10 there is available a patch for enabling malayalam naming ml-ubuntu developed by SPACE-KERALA, an organization standing for free software promotion. You can easily download this patch from malayalam.kerala.gov.in , Kerala govt’s official website developed for malyalam computing project.

Steps(by default you will get the nscript method)

1. Download this patch, this is an .iso file.

2. write this .iso file in to a cd

3. insert cd in to cd drive and take synaptic package manager from the system menu.

4. From the edit menu select add cdrom option , then they will ask to insert the cd … then insert the cd and click yes button. Then it will ask to insert another cd in tio the drive if you want. Now you dont need this ..so click no.

5. Then click reload button on the left side of the top panel.Now you can see the reloading steps.

6. After that from the software list you can search the patch ml-ubuntu , then right click on the left square button and click mark for installation , then click mark.

7. Then click the apply button on the top panel. Again apply on the next window.

8. Now you complete your installation steps.

For Phonetic(manglish)

1. From the software list in the synaptic package manager select the patch ml-phonetic-ubuntu and install with the method explained above.

2. Then install SCIM package with the same above method.

3. After that you will need to restart the system.

4. Then you can find a keyboard symbol on the top panel of the desktop.

5. Right click on this symbol , then click SCIM setup then click Global Setup under the IME Engine.

6. Then tick the languages you want to use.

Now you complete the settings for your malayalam usage.

For making tthese more simple we have to do some more things.

Selecting keyboard layout

1. Right click on the desktop top panel and click add to panel.

2. select keyboard indicater. Now you can see USA on the panel.

3. Right click on the USA button and select keyboard prefferences.

4. Then click layouts then add then India , under India select malayalam.

5. Close the screens and on the desktop click the USA button now it will change to India. This is the method for toggling the keyboard layouts.

Shortcut keys

1. For togling keyboard layouts—->press both alt keys simultaneously( this is default , you can change it from the settings).

2. For starting SCIM , press control+space bar

Ubuntu 8.04

1. Malayalam support in ubuntu 8.04 is more easier than 7.10. You will get an additional package cd with installation cd. you will get this cd from SPACE. Contact: contact @ space-kerala.org

2. You need to install this cd by using synaptic package manager or using the commandline.

3. From the synaptic package manager—>click edit—>then add cdrom—->reload

4. Then select aptoncd-metapackage from the package list

5. mark this for installation. Then you can find installation of 220 packages installations. this cd including 220 general packages under the aptoncd-metapackage item.

6. Now you installed all the patches for malayalam support.

7 . You ca see the SCIM item on the top panel. Take the seetings of SCIM and take the necessary steps as explained above.

Use your mother tongue in your computer..thank you.