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