Try using
bitpim It works in both windows or linux. I also use Verizon. You will be able to read/write to your contacts, media, etc, and there is also an advanced feature to view all files and directories on your phone, but be careful not to delete anything, or it will render your phone useless. Also the best advice is to NOT update your phone's SPL from verizon (don't call *228 and do over-the-air programming), because that can lock you out of certain directories, primarily your media directory that stores your ringtones.
I find that a good few months, and a new version of bitpim, you can access ANYTHING, as well as copy back your ringtones, which I couldn't do at a certain point, since the version of bitpim I had initially was not able to get around the SPL lock on the media directory.
