Ruth, you should email
![[email address]](http://www.blackberryforums.com/?emailimage=d1176300f3f79a8423b91895caef2b15)
with the make and model of your phone. Explain your situation and ask to become a beta tester. The instant messaging software is JIVETALK and it lets you instant message using more than one account (MSN, AIM, etc.) It is still in Beta, but it works well. Rambile IMO s*cks. It drops connection all the time like you said. Give Jivetalk a try. Also, welcome to the forum and don't forget to ask if you need more help.
On a side note, congrats to lunkhead on the 3,000th post!