Custom keyboard layout

[Alexander Eckert <alexander eckert gmx de>]

Hi,

I recently updated to Gnome 3.2 (Ubuntu 11.10) coming from Gnome 
2.something and
used to create a custom keyboard layout. This time I failed to create a 
new layout in
/usr/share/X11/xkb, so I modified gb and additionally latin. When I 
start a new session
my modifications do not become active. I have to run keyboard layout 
settings and add
arbitrary another layout. If I remove it immediately after that, I'll 
still have my keys.
When I use two layouts permanently, it works also (thats my current 
workaround).

How can I use a custom layout without having to layouts active?

Thanks
Alex