Does anyone know if we can install another OS BEFORE the update and still keep it? I don't want to lose the option just because I haven't exercised it yet.

How about pre-paid parking slips you can print from home and place in your window? They could have a barcode that someone scans to make sure it's valid. OR, text your parking order, pay via text, and the system texts back a unique code for the day or the time period. Hand-write this code on a piece of paper, slap it in your window, and the meter reader can use a hand-held device to check the validity of the code. Or, you can text your parking 'order' while in your car. You just run and pick up your slip to put in your window (instead of paying at the parking hub, you just type in a code in a separate line and pick up your ticket).

Do the same thing I suggest they do with Hubble when they are done with it...give it a boost and send it to the moon. If we are going to have a moon base some day, we might as well have some useful parts and materials laying around rather than let it fall back to Earth and have to send new stuff into space again (at something like $10,000 per pound, right?). I'm sure the ISS would make a decent living module on the moon's surface, and hubble can still be used on the far side of the moon.