Adding language layouts to Xfce

If you need to use multiple keyboard layouts, the panel keyboard layout switch in Xfce is not very useful (at least at the time of this writing). All you can do is add it to the panel and see your default language. Assuming that the language is already installed on your system and you just want to add it to the layout switcher, here's what needs to be done:

1. Open /etc/X11/xorg.conf

2. Find and modify the following:

Section "InputDevice"
    Identifier  "Keyboard0"
    Driver      "keyboard"
    Option      "CoreKeyboard"
    Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
    Option "XkbModel" "dell"
    Option "XkbLayout" "us, ru"
    Option "XkbOptions" "grp:alt_shift_toggle,grp_led:scroll"
EndSection 

Note that the keyboard in your xorg.conf file can also be identified as "Generic Keyboard". The main modifications are Option "XkbLayout" "us, ru" and Option "XkbOptions" "grp:alt_shift_toggle,grp_led:scroll". The first one adds the choice of Russian language to the menu and the second option gives you an ability to switch between the layouts with ALT+Shift combination (it also lights up yor scroll lock LED).