I want to install limewire but I don't know what version to get. I already know I better not get 1.8 cause everybody seems to hate it. Which one do you recommend and why?

That depends. If you have a fast connection, you could try the beta-supernode, - although it might give you some trouble connecting to the network. For me it works quite well and you could help limewire developers.

If you have a slow connection you should get 1.8. Don't believe all the hype about spyware. A few ads don't hurt nobody. And if you don't use the windows installer you won't see very much of the ads AFAIK.