Jeff Sandquist – Microsoft Evangelist has a great rule when it comes to new software:
I love to try out new software all the time, in fact its sort of an obsession. I’m always on the prowl for cool new applications. After seven days of use though if I’m not totally blowon away or if its not improving my PC life, its straight to add/remove programs I go. (Please, have a good un-installer).
I actually go as far as to set a reminder in Outlook for seven days from the installation date. When that reminder goes off I either send the author a cheque for their great work (even if its a 30 day evaluation) or I remove the application from my system.
Read the whole post to learn what criteria Jeff uses to decide which software makes the cut.
Actually, I have a similar rule. I will not install a new program when I first hear about it, no matter how tempting it sounds. Instead, I wait at least two weeks, and during that time I check the software out. Any known problems? Any unfortunate interactions with other programs? Only after I satisfy myself that the program is safe and reliable do I allow myself to install it. You’d be amazed how many programs that sound irresistible at first turn out to be completely, um, resistible.
If more people took this skeptical approach to software, the Windows world would be a better place.
Ed Bott 
Hmm… Think twice. It may not be the case. If EVERYONE uses the 1/2-week rule before trying the new program, then you have no way to know if the software is good/reliable. Why? Someone has to try it out before telling you about it (unless you have some sophiscated ways that you don’t need to install and can know clearly how well it performs).
In the end, we return to the starting point. So we still need some death-fighters in the frontier (unfortunately) to enjoy the benefits brought from 1/2-week rule.
Anyway, I think you should know about it too. Actually there’s nothing wrong in your statement. You just haven’t stated it out clearly.
I don’t think it’s inconsistent. I said “if more people took this skeptical approach” and then you converted that to EVERYONE. Certainly there will be people out on the bleeding edge. If those people are knowledgeable and careful and report their results on blogs or message boards, they’ll get the first wave of information out.
I know too many people who just randomly click yes to any new piece of software without even thinking about it, and then they ignore the warning signs of trouuble until it’s too late to recover.