Microsoft seems to have learned its lesson with Vista, simply put, it's dangerous to design software in a vacuum.  Given all the success they have seen with public betas, particularity with Windows 7, its not surprising that they are opening up the flood gates in search of volunteers to help shake out the bugs on Office Web Apps.

Office Web Apps are browser based versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote that Microsoft plans to integrate tightly with Office 2010, currently planned for launch mid next year. A beta version has been available since September to a selected group of testers, but an unspecified number of people who hit up the appropriate link, will be able to get in on the action as well. Some commenter's on the Office Web Apps blog have reported problems with the link, but it appears this is limited to people who were previously signed up for the beta.

Getting users excited about Office products is no easy task, but Office Web Apps promises to bring some much needed competition to Google Docs. Have you had a chance to test out the beta? Let us know what you think.