Hi there!

I have used Inkscape quite a few times in the past, but not very frequently. Something like creating a small logo about twice a year or something like that.

Now I found this site http://vector.us/ where you can download vector graphics for free and wanted to reuse them.

But some of those *.ai files from there I cannot open in Inkscape, for example this one:
http://vector.us/browse/225097/business_world

I would like to find out which of the following is my problem:
-) I misunderstood the feature discription of Inkscape
-) My Distribution (Linux Mint Debian Edition) comes with an too old version of Inkscape
-) The files I try to import are something else than they would make me believe

Welcome to InkscapeForum!

I'm not sure what your problem could be:
-- I can't speak to your understanding of Inkscape's features.
-- No matter which operating system you use, you can still have a current version of Inkscape. Start at inkscape.org and follow links to get the proper version for your os.
-- I don't know what you believe about the files you're trying to import.

But I CAN speak to Inkscape's ability to open AI files. Some can be opened by Inkscape, and some can't. AI has features that Inkscape doesn't have (and vice versa). So even if Inkscape could open any AI file, it would not be able to edit them all. That's about all I can really say. There have been other messages posted about opening and using AI files, so you could search the forum, and perhaps find some helpful tips. You could start here: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=820

I don't know if this would work, but there are file conversion engines all over the internet. Maybe you could find one that would convert the AI file to SVG, and have a better chance of opening with Inkscape.

I think your best bet, if you want to acquire vector images from the internet, is to stick with SVG if Inkscape is to be your tool for working on them. AI is really a gamble, because as you've learned the hard way, Inkscape can't open all of them.

If you do happen to find a way to open any AI file with Inkscape, please do let us know

okey, thanks for the clarifications!