[tofflos]

Is there a compiled package for 2.8.0-rc0 available? I only see sources on Github https://github.com/apache/kafka/releases/tag/2.8.0-rc0 and couldn't find anything regarding 2.8.0-rc0 on the Kafka downloads page https://kafka.apache.org/downloads.

[ewencp]

The downloads page is only for official releases, RCs are not distributed the same way and are not permanent unless promoted to an official release.

See the mailing list thread for 2.8.0-RC0 for where to find the bits if you want to test https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r16894a11aec73abac521ff... and the project site has some "contact" info for mailing lists where these things are announced and advertised (including releases, Kafka Improvement Proposals, and more) https://kafka.apache.org/contact