Put the YOU in Microsoft

Have you ever wandered what is the connection between software design, functionality and usability? Well, there is a key linking all these aspects together. And that key is YOU. Or at least according to Microsoft and the company's Usability Research website.

"It may seem like an obvious place to start, it is to us. Only you can tell us how we can help unlock your potential through our products and services. Get involved in the product development process and help us understand your needs by signing up to participate in one of our Usability Research studies," sounds an invitation from Microsoft.

In fact, Microsoft's user experience research community delivers the opportunity to get involved with early product design and evaluation activities. In this context, the final product will be shaped and molded according to the feedback of the usability research process.

"Sign up now to be included in brainstorming sessions and prioritization exercises, in early task-flow modeling, in usage scenario evaluations and refinements, in early concept prototype evaluations, and in hands-on tests of early code. Many of these activities are held on the Redmond campus, but you can also engage in remote testing and other collaborative sessions, from your own desk over Microsoft Office Live Meeting. This research program is aimed to make sure we best enable your potential, your needs and your desires, in all products and solutions we create for you," explained Candace Soderston of the Microsoft Exchange Team Blog.

In order to give Microsoft your input, you need to enroll in the usability participant database via the link provided above. Have fun!