To get the english locale, even if your computer uses a different language as default, delete all the directories in '%Programfiles%\Inkscape\locale'. For instance, the danish translation is unfinished and not too good.
You'll need a grid. Here's how to set it up:
1. File -> Document Preferences (Ctrl+Shift+D) 2. Select 'Default units' (eg. mm) 3. Select 'Grid' tab 4. Select 'Grid units' and 'Snap units' (eg. mm) 5. Toggle 'Show grid': on , 'Snap bounding boxes to grid': off , 'Snap points to grid' : on 6. Set 'Spacing X/Y' (eg. 2 mm) 7. Set 'Snap distance' (eg. 2 mm) 8. Close the dialog