Grafana 1.8.0-rc1 Released!

Grafana version 1.8.0-rc1 has been released, marking a significant update with numerous new features, enhancements, and UI improvements. Key updates include a revamped templating system, improved user interface with no more modal editors, and enhanced query editors for both Graphite and InfluxDB, which now support more complex query functions and improved usability. Notably, the new templating system allows for greater flexibility and reusability in dashboards, while the query editors now accommodate more intricate data queries and formatting options. Despite some breaking changes for InfluxDB users, such as the need to update queries using where clauses, the release aims to offer a more powerful and user-friendly experience. Additionally, the documentation for these changes is forthcoming, with a focus on providing comprehensive guidance. The release is supported by sponsors Squarespace and Dreamhost, and a meetup in New York is planned to discuss these developments further.