I used Inkscape previously, but trying again now, for the first time in over two years I have hit a snag. I do not remember how to enlarge text, using the handles.

Am I doing this right ?

I click on the Text tool on the left

Write my text, then while text box is showing I click on the select tool (top one on the left) which brings up the 6 arrows around the text

Nothing else works ... I can not enlarge the text, or reduce it.

If I click on Alt I can get the 4 arrow cursor symbol and can move the text around the screen, but still can not enlarge it.

HELP !! please

I am running Windows XP

I actually downloaded the newest version and nothing at all would work. I couldn't even click on a sumbol. Luckily I had the version which I used before kept in reserve, at least the downloaded .exe file was saved. I removed the new version and uploaded the old version. Still no way to enlarge / reduce any object. Is there a fault with my version, is my computer too slow or I am just too dummm, or should that be dumb.

Welcome to InkscapeForum!

There are a few ways to enlarge text:
a -- using the Text tool, select a larger size font from control bar or Text and Font dialog
b -- using the Selection tool, grab a corner arrow and drag (hold Ctrl to keep in proper proportions)
c -- using Transform dialog, Scale tab

I'm not sure what you mean by 'clicking Alt' and the 4 sided arrow. Alt is a key, so perhaps a typo? But I'm still not sure about the 4 sided arrow. I mean I know what that is, I just can't think how it's happening.

Ooohh! The Selection tool, in older versions, had a 4 sided arrow for it's default mouse pointer. Since you said you're using an older version, that's probably it. The Alt key should not come into play for enlarging text, unless the text is hidden below some other object (Alt + click selects the next object below).

I'm thinking you might have downloaded the wrong version recently. It can be confusing sometimes, with all the different packages there (mostly for developers). For your os, this is the right version: http://sourceforge.net/projects/inkscap ... urce=files

Let us know if you get it worked out