Stuff like autopackage was designed to solve part of the problem but the real issue is that too many people perceive distros being in firm control as a good thing.
I always felt that the singularity of Windows was it's real strength. I have had to work hard on my perceptions to try and see Linux's variations as a strength. Now I see this in the light of freedom; freedom to code, freedom to try something; freedom to build or fork other code. So, that is a strength, but somehow it's like a racing-boat with a team of rowers all using their own paddles and rowing to their own beat. Some of them are sitting sideways, some backwards! While the Linux team scuds along almost randomly, the highly paid b0rg shoot past.
So, I suppose I should just be glad that so much amazing software actually works at all! I should be, and I am, grateful for it all - Inkscape included.
I will say that Windows is great software. It has incredible power and flexibility (according to one's pocket!) and has very fine software to run on it. Whoa - slow down, don't lynch me yet! :)
The only thing I wish is that Windows had the *balls* to stand up and actually compete. Not like it does now, fixing the fight, like the only boxer in the ring! It's like a "cargo cult" boxing match: it has all the form of a system that allows competition, but none of the substance. It has coaches that talk the talk and it has lights and a stadium and a crowd. It has all the hype and the movement and all the fans. It has the world at it's knees and it charges for every ticket. Then the bell goes "Ding! Ding! Ding!" and the announcer yells, "The fight is on!" and only one boxer comes out and struts about...
The crowd goes wild. Why? There's no real fight.
Bah! Don't give up on Linux Inkscape, even if the distros pull in mad directions!
D.