Some time ago I switched the "add mode" on by default when you go to Pen or Pencil tools. This makes it easier to continue the selected path, but if you just want to draw a new path, this may be annoying because it insists on creating a subpath of selected path. So now I changed that behavior so that:
o When you start drawing outside of the end markers of the selected path, that path is deselected and you are drawing a new path (not a new subpath of the selected path as before). To continue the selected path, you have to start drawing from one of the end markers.
o When you start drawing from one end marker of a path and arrive at the other end marker, the path gets closed automatically (the markers disappear).
Note that this means you can't create unconnected subpaths simply by drawing anymore; you'll have to draw paths separately and then Combine them. I think this is OK, but if this is a problem for someone, please let me know.
After these changes, I think it is now safe to turn the "add mode" always on, i.e. remove the possibility to turn it off by pressing "a". Again, if anyone disagrees, just blow the whistle.
(Bryce, sorry to trouble you, but could you please again forward this to the devel list if you don't see it coming through there after some time)