Rolling back to iTunes 4.9 from 5 or 5.0.1

Question

I have posted a method of rolling back to iTunes 4.9 from iTunes 5 or 5.0.1 before and it works for some people, at least. I am posting this again in the hope that people who have problems with iTunes 5 or 5.0.1 will be able to solve their problems by rolling back.
(1) Remove iTunes 5 and QuickTime 7 using the Add/Remove Program function in Control Panel
(2) Copy the iTunes Library file in My Documents -> My Music -> iTunes -> Previous iTunes Libraries to My Documents -> My Music -> iTunes and rename it to iTunes Library (you need to delete the new iTunes Library file there created by iTunes 5 first)
(3) Reinstall iTunes 4.9 (A copy can be found at http://www.5star-shareware.com/Windows/Music/MultimediaPlayers/itunes.html , the last time I visited the link is still active.)
Also save the iTunes 4.9 installer in a safe place as you may need it later.

Answer 1

Jim,
Your statements indicate a clear understanding of why the furor appears here and the efforts to address it, but your last admission (regarding issue management) negates it all. How can
i you
now determine that there is a problem (one that is pervasive enough to warrant a major response or action on Apple's part)?
None of us here have any insight as to the extent (or lack thereof) of the problem. Only Apple knows (if that) how many iTunes installations there are and what proportion of these are experiencing a problem. There have been calls for the iTunes developers' heads since I've seen the release of 4.7 - and all prior indications are that this is not a new event with that version. Some folks have always been getting caught in the ‘fatal error’ trap with each new iTunes release.
Over the 2005 year, the iTunes users have expanded greatly. As such, I would expect a similar increase in folks coming here to seek help and express dismay. It certainly
i seems
to me as if there are greater instances of iTunes failing, but as a proportion of total users, I cannot say if the percentages are, in fact, increasing.
As for a 'forced migration’,...the apparent policy has been to provide only the current version of the programs. I realize that folks want a 'fool-proof' upgrade, but any experience with PCs teaches one that without backups, archived earlier version of programs, prudence before jumping into a new version release, and a good understanding of one's system, you are just inviting trouble.
I feel for the folks with difficult problems. I am not blaming them, nor am I willing to blame Apple. I remain here trying to assist them where possible. I do, however, expect us as 'users' to be able to proactively protect ourselves as we so often have been warned by various technology experts: make multiple backups, keep copies of previous programs, learn a little bit about our computers, and exercise a little personal responsibility in keeping them correctly operating - or pay for someone else to manage it for us.