M-x ediff. Especially check that Info files aren't built, and that
no autotools (autoconf etc) run.
-8. cd EMACS_ROOT_DIR && git tag TAG
+8. cd EMACS_ROOT_DIR && git tag -a TAG && git push origin tag TAG
TAG is emacs-XX.Y.ZZ for a pretest, emacs-XX.Y for a release.
9. Decide what compression schemes to offer.