I just downloaded and installed the latest version (0.48.5) yesterday, and it seems to function normally except for a few issues:

1. The toolbar icons and pallet don't load. They either display a broken image icon or nothing.
2. Keyboard shortcuts aren't working/receive no response.

I have done all the normal troubleshooting (e.g., restart computer, uninstall/reinstall Inkscape), and the issue seems to go away if I run Inkscape after it's installed. But after I close the program and open it again, the problems return.

I've used previous versions of Inkscape on the same laptop for ~3 years, so I don't think it's on my end. (I could be wrong though.) I've searched around and couldn't find any other posts on this; has anyone else experienced this? Or am I just special?

Which operating system? Or exactly which package you downloaded, and from where (give us the link)?

I'm still running the same inkscape version that came with the os so it's a bit of guessing.
The used icons come from gtk -some directions-
while other icons are located somewhere inside your inkscape directory.
Same with the key shortcuts.
http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/index.php/Customizing_Inkscape

Probably the files that should be loaded are in a different folder than it should be at.
Only similar problem, but it's the closest as far as I know:
http://www.inkscapeforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=17515&p=64419#p64419

Good luck!