First of all I have just started using inkscape since just before Christmas and successfully used it to create all of my cards. I am an Illustrator cs5 user and am trying to wean myself off. I have done some extensive searches in google and other search engines to no avail. What I am looking for is a keyboard modifier key for select tool while using other tools. I am aware of the keyboard shortcuts (F1 or S) but that is not what I am looking for. Example: while using the text (or any other) tool simply pressing the control key would temporarily switch to the selection tool and when I let go it would be back to the text tool.

Thanks for any help.

Try the spacebar.

Nope, does the same as pressing the center mouse wheel. Moves the canvas. Thanks tho.

Yes, moves canvas if you keep it pressed ...
But pressed once it changes between selection tool and  the last one you used.

Greetings