Hi fella.

Welcome.

Hope i can help a little.

Skype- dunno what your issue is re: service. i am assuming you are operating with os2007, if so you should be able to do exactly as you describe, just search for a name and add them to contacts. if u have os2008 i am not sure if skype is working yet?!?

Keyboard- i find the same as you, we must just have skinny fingers!!! i find the best way to get finger keyboard up us to use the central button in the top left d-pad.

Hope this helps.