Microsoft Looks to Office 11 Beta 2

With Beta 1 kits out the door to thousands of Office 11 testers who are eagerly hunting for bugs, Microsoft has begun preparations for a second beta phase that is set to begin in Spring 2003. Office 11 Beta 2 will be larger than the first beta, and Redmond is currently accepting nominations from those interested testing the next-generation Office suite.

"For Beta 2, the Office team is looking for customers to provide high quality, early feedback on the next version of Microsoft Office," reads a note on Microsoft's Beta Place Web site. "Now is your chance to nominate on the waiting list for what promises to be the most innovative release of Office to date!"

Interested Office users can sign up for Beta 2 by completing a short survey located at Beta Place using the Beta ID: GEXTSU and Password: B15LIMK.

"Our goal is to have a well targeted group of testers willing to actively participate and provide useful feedback to our development team. Please carefully consider your willingness and ability to test," says Microsoft.

Office 11 Beta 2 is slated to be the last full beta phase before the suite hits store shelves mid-2003. As with Office XP in 2001, Microsoft will likely issue at least two release candidates before Office 11 goes gold.