Overall I have noticed an improvement, I'm getting 5 to 8 turns in, before a crash, where 2-3 were all that happened in 1.19a.  I do like large maps though. 

Also the new quests and other minor tweaks are nice.  It has been interesting to watch the AI factions develop.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8942084/Elemental1_19b-2011-02-10T15-19-24-535.zip

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8942084/Elemental1_19b-2011-02-10T19-42-20-207.zip

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8942084/Elemental1_19b-2011-02-11T16-55-06-868.zip

There is what seems to be a bug.  In that my influence has absorbed a minor faction completely.  If I stand within 1 square of it I'm in my influence but can shop a their store.  I had been unable to see their influence zone the entire game.  Save provided if you want to check it out.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8942084/minorfaction.EleSav