hi,
The bug #166691 "Changing layer order does not update layer selector" https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/166691 seems to have reappeared. This bug happens in both 0.46 and recent development (Inkscape 0.46, built Apr 1 2008 and Inkscape 0.46+devel, revision 20288, built Nov 30 200) This is reproducible when adding a new layer and changing its z-order, the new layer's position is not correctly represented in the layer selection box (in bottom status bar); it remains in its old location. Activating the layer selection box a second time causes the correct order to be shown.
This bug also happens when a layer is moved to the top or the bottom. The layer selection box in the bottom status bar is not updated immediately to show the new order of layers.
I do not know if this bug is related to # 168351 https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/168351 "Layer rename doesn't affect layers dialog".
I am running Windows Vista with all current Vista updates. 2 Gb ram.
This bug still exists in Inkscape 0.47pre4 , built Oct 12 2009 on Windows Vista.
To recreate this bug open a new document add some text "Level 1". Click Layer -> Layers to open the Layers dialog. Click "+" and add a new layer above the existing Layer 1 but name the layer "background". Add text "background" to the layer background. In the Layers dialog click the icon to move the background layer to the bottom of the layers. The Layer dialog is updated with the correct positioning of the layers. Now click in the main window at the very bottom on the drop down layer list of layers. The list does not show the change to the order of the layers.