hello!
I create many objects on canvas without using of layers. Sometimes it is impossible to get any object. Inkscape has option allows us to lock object but this is very uncomfortable. Also that doesn't enable us to unlock particular object. Have you ever thought about adding new feature - locking/unlocking object on canvas like in Corel Draw? This is very cool stuff. It doesn't exclude functionality of layers but adds possibility of creating simple things in simple way. Think about icons. Many icons are created on one layer. But managing such objects in further future is terrible. I propose to add new entry to context menu. Clicking on it will show a small padlock on object (like in Corel). I hope that isn't hard to coding but makes sense in my opinion. I also hope I made myself clear. :)
cheers, Wojtek Ryrych