The Windows Product Team at Microsoft has sent invitations to beta test the PC Satisfaction Trial, a Web service that will be part of an upcoming customer research program.

"The intent of the trial will be to see how much more satisfied Windows customers are when they feel confident about the security of their PC and the safety of their data and personal information," the team wrote in an e-mail.

"We are looking for people with higher than average technical skill to install and use a pre-release version of the PC Satisfaction Trial service on internet-connected PCs running Windows XP in homes and small businesses."

Participants must be willing to report bugs, problems and suggestions to the development team throughout the three to four month beta program.

Microsoft's Broadband Networking group is also actively looking for testers to join its beta program. Applicants must have an active broadband Internet connection, and two or more computers - one of which must be a laptop.

To apply for the PC Satisfaction Trial beta, users must login to BetaPlace using the PCSATTRIAL Guest ID and complete a short survey. For Microsoft's Broadband Networking beta program, the Guest ID of Networking must be used.