I downloaded the "Latest stable version", version 0.46 for windows. I read the FAQ, where it says that Inkscape is ready for regular users to use and, "You can start using Inkscape alongside your other tools now!"

That hasn't been my experience.

I can't get Inkscape to work in full-screen mode. Pointing at any of the icons on the menu bar brings up a little tag with a description. Trouble is, when I move the mouse away the tag stays in place and the only way I have found to get rid of it is to change down from full-screen and then back up again. Which very quickly becomes tedious in the extreme.

Scrolling in full-screen produces image drag where the same line is reproduced hundreds of times, or if I have the grid selected I get the gridlines about 1mm apart. Patience in waiting for the programme to catch up is not rewarded and again the only way to restore a usable screen image is by changing down from full-screen mode and back up again.

In short, doing anything at all, no matter how basic, in full-screen mode causes the programme to lag a long way behind the user and forget how to refresh the screen.

I can use the programme in reduced window mode, but then I can't see the scroll bar at the bottom of the screen so navigating around my drawing is difficult. If I push the top of the window right up to the extreme edge of my screen I can just about see a shadow of the top of the scroll bar, but I can't click on it or drag it.

I cannot save a document. At all. I read the README file that came with the installation but that talks about installing "dependencies" (whatever they are) and about installing Cygwin, which might be appropriate for developers but should not be required for folks who just want to draw stuff. The README file doesn't tell you how to save stuff. I searched the wiki, where after searching for "Save" I found a page on debugging for Windows which talked about installing yet another programme, Eclipse. Is it really necessary to install Eclipse and/or Cygwin before I can save anything?

When I click <File>, <Save As> a window appears, which is clearly the save mask, but it is so far up the screen and so far over to the left that I can neither navigate to a folder nor move the window. I can just about see the box where I enter my new filename, but doing that and clicking <Save> results in, absolutely nothing happening at all. The <Save> button depresses, but the document does not get saved. Clicking the "Cancel" button brings up a nag window reminding me that exiting without saving risks losing my data, which is not helpful in this context.

I have installed the whole thing twice, from different locations, with the same result both times.

What am I doing wrong?

You don't need cygwin or Eclipse.

What OS are you using? I assume Windows XP.

Try uninstalling Inkscape (both) and delete the folder c:\document & settings\[username]\application data\inkscape. Then reinstall Inkscape.

I have installed inkscape on two computers, one at home, the other at work. At work the OS is XP pro, at home; XP home. Inkscape works fine at home, but at work there are bits of screen image that get left behind after each mouse operation, which can be removed by toggling between full screen and normal. I have tried the suggested fix (delete the inkscape folder in documents and settings) with no improvement.

Great programme. What do I do next?

It's not the difference between XP Home and Pro that's causing the problem, as my work XP Pro machine doesn't have those problems.

I've got two thoughts:
1. Your work machine is is old and slow, in which case nothing much can be done.
2. I've got some vague recollection of someone having a problem because their machine had an old version of GTK (not that I can find a post on the subject) that was being used rather than the one installed with Inkscape. In which case uninstalling or upgrading that might help.

I downloaded the "Latest stable version", version 0.46 for windows. I read the FAQ, where it says that Inkscape is ready for regular users to use and, "You can start using Inkscape alongside your other tools now!"

That hasn't been my experience.]

LOL! I believe my 1st post here expressed the exact same sentiment! For me, it was just a lot of bizarre crashes, various error messages, and in general, as a non-graphic-artist, or artist of any kind really, I was finding it not nearly ready for regular users. Even after reading tutorials, manuals and guides, I often could not make things work. But as I practiced a lot of patience, and with the kind help of SO many incredibly talented artists here, who know Inkscape very, very well, I slowly, gradually learned the right way to do things. And as long as I always do things the way Inkscape expects them to be done, it hardly ever crashes. But as soon as I start to learn a new skill, I have to struggle against the various crashes and errors, until I finally understand what Inkscape expects me to do

I certainly would expect much more and much better of a paid program, like some of Inkscapes "competitors", and would surely be asking for my money back. But you kind of have to take a different approach with Open Source and/or freeware programs. Once I got into the spirit of it, I actually found and reported a few bugs. So that made me feel like a part of the process. And as I said, once I learn the right way to do things, Inkscape is a dream, and I love it!

When I click <File>, <Save As> a window appears, which is clearly the save mask, but it is so far up the screen and so far over to the left that I can neither navigate to a folder nor move the window.

This is a common problem for me, as well. But I've always thought it had to do with my 800 x 600 screen resolution. However, I can easily move the Save As window into full view, and use it normally.

Anyway, I just want to suggest, like Slow Dog, checking the minimum usage requirements. Maybe this machine is not up to snuff in one way or another? And also, be patient, be pragmatic, ask for help if you need it, and Inkscape will reward you in exciting ways!

Thanks for the advice.
I've had a look at http://www.GKT.org and it looks complicated!
I also looked for GKT in control panel "add or remove programs" but didn't find it there.
Any suggestions on how to go about uninstalling or upgrading the beast?

It's been a while since I downloaded it, but I seem to recall that the GTK thing was automatically upgraded or updated (whatever) during the process. At least I remember getting various security alerts asking me if I want this or that, and some of them were GTK-related items.

I missed this earlier

but at work there are bits of screen image that get left behind after each mouse operation, which can be removed by toggling between full screen and normal.

I also had a problem with that. The fix is to go into Inkscape Properties > Misc > Make icons smaller. There are 2 of those, one for the "main toolbar" and one for the "commands toolbar". I'm not sure if they both need to be checked, but I checked both and it solved the problem. I might mention that it also solved the problem of dialogs being displayed partly off the screen where I couldn't reach them (like you mentioned with the Save As dialog). Sometimes they do still open up partly off the screen, but after making the icons smaller, I could move them into view.

You know, I'm thinking, maybe try making the icons smaller. Maybe it will fix all the problems, and you don't have to worry about the GTK? I was shocked at the kind of problems that were fixed by making those 2 simple checkmarks! Crossing fingers

Problem solved
I changed the screen settings to a higher and more appropriate resolution (1440x900) and that seems to have solved the problem.
BTW, the thread was somewhat tangled. If you look back you'll see that I continued someone else's thread because my problem was the same as part of the previous person's problem. Some of your responses are actually directed at this person.
Maybe I would have done better to start a new thread in this case to avoid confusion. Another lesson learned.
Many thanks for the good ideas.

Oh geez, I didn't even notice that!
Yes, definitely start your own thread on any help topic. If you want to contribute to or continue an ongoing discussion, then add to the same thread. But on a help topic, you always want your own.