I received quite a few responses to my last column, particularly the question about compatibility between Office 2007 and earlier versions of the software.

One reader asked how to read Word 2003 documents using Word 2007. That answer should be automatic: Word 2007 includes a compatibility mode that is supposed to kick in when you open a document saved in an earlier version of the program. The mode limits the Word 2007 features available but keeps the document compatible with other computers using Word 2003.

Another couple of readers responded with suggestions. Herb Depke of Cary suggested that to solve compatibility problems from their end, folks with Office 2003 can download the program FileFormatConverters.exe to open, edit and save Excel, Word and PowerPoint 2007 files. To find the download, go to microsoft.com/downloads and search for "FileFormatConverters.exe."

Jim Gregson of Morehead City wrote that Office 2007 users can download an add-on from Microsoft that allows them to save documents in the PDF format, eliminating the middle step of using Adobe Acrobat or one of the many programs available online.

The file, called SaveAsPDFandXPS.exe, also can be found at www.microsoft.com/downloads.

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Meanwhile, reader Larry Marks was disappointed in my answer about listing all of the MS Word documents on a computer. He gives a simpler answer that requires no additional software.

Go to the "start" menu, then click on "all programs," "accessories" and "command prompt." A box with a black screen will pop up.

At the prompt, type: dir \*.doc /s >mydocs.txt. Then wait for your computer to create a list of all the MS Word documents on the computer, their sizes, locations and dates last modified.

Finally, find the "mydocs.txt" file. On my computer, it was on the C: drive in the "documents and settings" folder, under my profile.

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The new iPhone 3G may have terrific functionality, but that's not necessarily enough to replace your other devices, said David Wertheimer, executive director of the Entertainment Technology Center at the University of Southern California.

"What's fascinating about the new iPhone is how complicated it makes the purchase/upgrade decision for the consumer," he said.

College students tell him the 16GB version has almost enough storage to replace their iPods. Meanwhile, the new applications are almost enough to replace corporate types' Blackberries, and the 3G network is almost fast enough to allow users to rely on streamed media such as YouTube rather than storing files on the phone.

"It's all heading in a great direction, but are we there yet? Not quite," he said.

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