Step 1

Install Visual Studio 2010 Beta 2 http://bit.ly/vs2010b2 

TIP: This works great inside Windows Virtual PC (10MB download) on Windows 7 if you want to avoid using it on your main machine

Step 2

Install ADO.NET Entity Framework Feature Community Technology Preview 2 http://bit.ly/ef4ctp2 

TIP: The CTPs give you additional functionality such as self tracking entities – which you need for N-Tier work

Step 3

Install the beta of LINQPad for VS2010 Beta 2 http://linqpad.net/Beta.aspx 

TIP: I recommend you use LINQPad to learn LINQ and to learn to use the Entity Framework. It is an amazing tool –  REPL, Snipper Manager, “SQL Management Studio light” and more.

Step 4

Check out the EF4 resources at http://bit.ly/ef4resources

TIP: This will be getting a major update by 16th December 2009. Check back on that day.

Step 5

Keep an eye on the Entity Framweork teams blogs at http://blogs.msdn.com/adonet/ and http://blogs.msdn.com/efdesign to watch how it progresses to RTM