[tlug] Japanese input and Linux Mint

[Raedwolf Summoner <rarooam@example.com>]

Since I've been more and more ready to abandon Ubuntu

lately, I read with interest Charlie discussing his struggles
with Japanese input on Linux Mint and his subsequent 

decision to just go back to kubuntu.

My input needs were not quite so specific, and Mint has

worked out rather well. I am giving up on Ubuntu as I

can't stomach Unity.

I first tried Linux Mint "Mate" as it is supposedly based on

Gnome 2. No way, no how could I get any type of input to

actually work: ibus, scim, uim, all tried with anthy and 

ibus tried with mozc. I beat my head against it for a couple 

days and finally gave up. At one point I had scim/anthy

almost working. Everything seemed normal except it

would not change to Japanese input, regardless of key

bindings, reboots, etc. (I saved the results of the "locale"

output if anyone is interested.) Probably a Linux geek

would have typed a command into a terminal and 

solved the problems.

So I decided to try Debian. It won't install on my system.

Tried it with a DVD download, English install, partition

formatted during install. Halfway through loading the base

system, it cdn't install a file and quit. So I get the network

CD and try again, this time a network-enabled install with

Japanese install, and let it also format the partition first. 

Exactly the same result, choking on exactly the same file. 

Don't remember which, just that it had a "force-quit" at the 

end of the file name, which obviously doesn't like something

about my system.

Then I saw Steve S.'s message in the TPC archives and

decided to try again, this time with Linux Mint "Cinnamon"

based on Gnome 3 that Steve recommended for Jpse input. 

Works like a charm. I like it. Japanese input installed easily 

and worked out of the gate. So, until Mint starts down the 

let's-make-this-distro-into-something-quite-different path 

that Ubuntu went down, it will likely remain my system of choice.

--Ralph S.