I have this concept whenever I need to decide if something new is good or not for me.
First I watch or read about the idea. Then I study more about it. Then I do it for a relatively long time. Then I decide if it is good or not for me, that I should drop it all or I can adopt parts of it in my life.
This applies exceptionally well to new programming techniques.
At work, at Syneto, we usually do things for about 6 months before we decide. But those are big things. They affect a bunch of people.
In my personal life I scale down. Both the discovered things and the time for doing. Still, I always make sure I don't decide too early.
Recently I was invited to a new developers forum in my country. And after just one day, I am amazed how many people jump over the learn and do part. They only watch and decide.
I believe the only way to decide upon a thing is by past experience. But you need to build that experience yourself. You can't avoid it, at least not for a long time.
