Windows XP

I just came from Microsoft's website for XP.  According to them, the countdown clock says there are 148 days, 9 hours, 26 minutes, and 23 seconds left before it's released.  Basically, that makes it out to October 25th.  Of course, we all know that probably isn't going to be the real date.  Unless they follow in the ways of Apple and release it early like what they did with OS X. Apple released it 10 days before the official release date...I think...I could be wrong.

I'm going to subscribe to the preview program and see if I can get my hands on a copy of any beta versions of XP and I'll report back sometime later again...

Added:
Okay, this sucks.  It'll cost me $10 to get a copy of RC1 and RC2 of XP.  Is it worth the $10 and the wait for the download or should I get it anyway?  I figure since I've already given MS most of my money for unstable software would I care to do so again with the knowledge that I'm REALLY subjecting myself to faulty software?  I think not, unless someone else has other suggestions...