Hello, I've been using inkscape for a while now, but ran into a weird problem with the gradient tool. (using 0.47 the stable version that comes with linux) I was using a gradient on some text, and the area where I'm working is narrow vertically, but wide horizontally, and when I stretch the tool vertically to create a horizontal gradient effect, it wont allow me to leave it on a 90 degree straight line. it automatically changes to a 45 degree line making the gradient effect look like a 45 degree gradient, rather than a horizontal one. If I work on a large workspace, it works fine, but when I'm confined to a small area, it acts up with the behavior previously described. Thanks for your help in advance.

Hhhm....well, I don't have linux, so I can't test for you.
But I wanted to ask you to check whether you have snapping enabled. It might be that the gradient stops are trying to snap to something that you don't intend.