BuddyPress 1.8 is so close you can smell it! (Incidentally, it smells kinda like pizza.) The first release candidate (RC1) for BP 1.8 is now available.

“Release candidate” means we think everything’s in place for the final 1.8 release, but want to give developers and users one last chance to kick the tires. Not sure what to test? We’re working on formal release notes, but in the meantime visit /wp-admin/index.php?page=bp-about of your RC1 test installation for a summary of the major changes in 1.8.

RC1 also means a strict string freeze. If you maintain any BuddyPress localizations, now is the time to complete any necessary translations against trunk.

Get BP 1.8-RC1 via SVN, or as a zip. If you find issues or have questions, head for our support forums or our development tracker.