If you've got/can find 8.5, it's a free download upgrade from there.
HATS!! Yes they were. Generally 8.0 and 8.5 are a bit unstable, but the free point upgrades fix them right up. 7.5.x versions are way more unstable in my experience, especially on PPCs. I can't speak for 9.0 as I've never used it.I always thought all the systems after 7.6 were considered less reliable than the earlier ones. Could just be the people who told me that have been talking through their hats though.