http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6129_102-0.html?forumID=29&threadID=231687&messageID=2392622

Let me add that 'beta testing' is just what it says. It's testing (not full production) and it's a beta (and that's a preliminary copy of, or nobody would buy the full version).

Of course, if you're lost without contacts and mails you've got a good backup of them. So even if they have been deleted from the hard disk (which is far from sure, the usual uninstall procedure only uninstalles the program, and leaves the data you made with it intact), you can retrieve them from your backup.
Only in the unlikely case that (a) the uninstall removed user data AND (b) you were negligent enough to forget about backups, yes then you've lost all your data. Forever. But as I said, (a) is unlikely, and (b) is your own fault, so don't blame me. I might easily use a stronger word than 'neglicent', by the way, but I'm not allowed so.

Then simply visit a shop to buy the program you need (they will be perfectly willing to sell you Office 2007, I'm sure) and everything is fine again.

I don't think the beta is limited in user time (no more than x days), but just won't function after February 1. So a temporary install of the program on another machine (as suggested by Bob) needs a rather careful manipulation of the system date (note that it is synchronized with the real time by a automatically running XP service).

But if you have your data (an absolute requirement) and an other machine you might be able to use such a temporary setup to export your data to a format that Office 2003 (or any other mail and contacts program you prefer) can read. Then (re)install Office 2003 from the cd (if it isn't present any more) or install the replacement program, and import your converted data. And you're up and running again.

Hope this helps.