14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is hard at work on the next version for its main cash cows. Windows Seven, the successor of Windows Vista is planned for availability in 2009, Internet Explorer 8.0 will be released sometime in late 2008, early 2009 and Office 14, the upcoming version of Office is also cooking with Microsoft planning to launch the suite in two to three years after Office 2007. David Overton from the Microsoft Small business team, revealed that the company has debuted an initiative designed to get users on board with the shaping of Office 14.
"Microsoft is committed to continue building solutions that address your needs and requirements. As part of the process for building future solutions, the Microsoft Office International Planning team is recruiting an international user panel. The goal for this panel will be to contribute in helping the Product Planning team get an in-depth understanding on users' habits, needs and requirements. We are convinced that listening to users' feedback is key to the development of great solutions and products," Overton stated.
This is your chance to contribute to the building of the follow-up for the Office 2007 System. All you have to do is follow this link and complete a 15-minute survey. The survey can qualify you not only to participate in the evolution of the future Office versions, but also in other Microsoft related studies. The International Product Planning Panel for Office is a way for Microsoft to tap the habits, needs and requirements of the end users.
"Invitations to surveys will be sent on Microsoft Corporation's behalf by our research vendor MarketTools. Surveys may include questions about a range of topics, including, but not limited to, your use of Microsoft software, as well as technology products from other vendors. Your responses will be used by our product planning team as part of our development process. You are not required to respond to every survey to participate on the panel, but we ask that you complete at least two surveys per year to remain on the panel," reads a fragment of the message posted on the welcoming page for the survey.