prep for release

RELEASE_NOTES.txt

 Release 1.8 (12/XX/2017)
 =============================
   
-- Enhanced algorithm for processing of existing files
+- Enhanced algorithm for processing of existing files; this resolved issues
+  with multiple simultaneous DAQs involving large number of pre-existing
+  files that need to be processed
+- Added support for output variables in workflow definitions
+- Added generic HDF5 file metadata reader
+- Developed DAQ/PROC service integration via new DAQ plugin; this enables
+  development and deployment of fully automated data acquisition/processing 
+  pipelines based on user-defined workflows
+- Added support for retrieving experiment dataset statistics:
+  - New command:
+    * get-file-collection-stats
+- Added HTTPS support for accessing file metadata catalog via Mongo Express
+- DM Station GUI fixes/enhancements:
+  - Added support for viewing experiment file metadata and file collection
+    statistics
+  - Added support for DM_BEAMLINE_MANAGERS environment variable
+  - Improved dialogs for DAQ/upload configuration options
 
 Release 1.7 (11/01/2017)
 =============================
@@ -10,7 +26,8 @@ Release 1.7 (11/01/2017)
   - Added integration with ESAF DB
 - Added new output formating option "--display-format=key-per-line" that is
   common to all commands 
-- Introduced service monitoring infrastructure
+- Introduced service monitoring infrastructure, which enabled deployment of
+  Nagios-based system monitoring
   - New commands:
     * get-service-status 
     * clear-service-status