Thanks to Mental's work, we now have shortcuts configurable by editing a simple XML file. I changed the format of that file, commented and categorized the shortcuts, and also listed there all Inkscape verbs that don't have shortcuts, so that it's easier for the user to bind them to keys. Also there's much work ahead to convert as much non-verb commands as possible to verbs, so that they can be configurable as well.
I also added an alternative keymap that emulates the keyboard of Xara X/Xara Xtreme/Xara LX. Since Inkscape has considerably more shortcuts than Xara, those keys that are not used by Xara retain their Inkscape bindings, thus making it easier for users to migrate from Inkscape to Xara or back. Of course, some of Xara's keys are not enabled because Inkscape does not yet have corresponding tools or commands.
The files in share/keys are:
inkscape.xml - Inkscape bindings
default.xml - initially this is a copy of inkscape.xml, but you can overwrite it with any other profile;
xara.xml - Xara bindings; to enable, copy it to default.xml; to disable, copy inkscape.xml to default.xml again.
Later, Inkscape installer and/or preferences dialog will need to be enabled to switch keymaps without the user having to copy files (coding help welcome, as always).
You can also customize some of your keybindings without overwriting the main default.xml. If your profile directory (~/.inkscape on Linux) contains a keys subdirectory with a default.xml file, the keybindings from that file will overlay (i.e. add to, and override in case of a conflict) the default bindings. This file may list just a few keybindings that you want to change; the format of your own default.xml is the same as that of the main default.xml.
-- bulia byak Inkscape. Draw Freely. http://www.inkscape.org