i'd say in a few months :)

http://trac.elgg.org/roadmap

Can 1.8 be downloaded somewhere in one zip?

http://elgg.org/download/nightly/trunk/

I think the elgg 1.8 is still very primary.

Blue, I think you mean "preliminary".

@Kevin

Thanks. You teach me a word.

I'll download the preliminary version primarily for testing purposes :)

Thanks.

@gillie

Thanks. You teach me two words.

merry christmas elgg designers and coders..and the hole world... this is the best gift ever.. I love elgg 1.8